Post by opie on Nov 24, 2013 21:20:13 GMT -5
Wage freeze
In March 2011, NIFA at Mangano's request imposed a wage freeze on the county's then 8,100-person workforce.
NIFA officials said the wage freeze is essential to bringing the county's finances under control. But labor leaders contend the freeze has damaged morale and spurred employee departures, leading to poor park maintenance and delays in delivering social services.
"This can't go on forever," said Jerry Laricchiuta, president of the Civil Service Employees Association, which represents more than 3,800 full-time county employees. "Our members are extremely frustrated."
Police Benevolent Association president James Carver said if the freeze continues much longer, many of his members will retire and Nassau "will lose an entire generation of officers."
Nassau's five labor unions have reached separate agreements with Mangano that would gradually restore back pay, along with annual wage and step increases, in exchange for health care and pension contributions for new employees. The deal would extend labor contracts set to expire at the end of 2015 for an additional two years -- beyond Mangano's second term, allowing him to avoid a potentially difficult round of contract negotiations.
But NIFA has balked at allowing Mangano to repay three years of back wages, arguing it would throw the county's finances out of balance. The unions are suing to overturn the freeze. If they succeed, Nassau could be on the hook for nearly $300 million in back wages all at once.
"This is an issue that should be settled," said Mangano, who wants to hire 150 police officers after the new labor deal is secured. "NIFA needs to be part of the solution."
www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/mangano-faces-serious-issues-in-second-term-as-nassau-exec-1.6490610
In March 2011, NIFA at Mangano's request imposed a wage freeze on the county's then 8,100-person workforce.
NIFA officials said the wage freeze is essential to bringing the county's finances under control. But labor leaders contend the freeze has damaged morale and spurred employee departures, leading to poor park maintenance and delays in delivering social services.
"This can't go on forever," said Jerry Laricchiuta, president of the Civil Service Employees Association, which represents more than 3,800 full-time county employees. "Our members are extremely frustrated."
Police Benevolent Association president James Carver said if the freeze continues much longer, many of his members will retire and Nassau "will lose an entire generation of officers."
Nassau's five labor unions have reached separate agreements with Mangano that would gradually restore back pay, along with annual wage and step increases, in exchange for health care and pension contributions for new employees. The deal would extend labor contracts set to expire at the end of 2015 for an additional two years -- beyond Mangano's second term, allowing him to avoid a potentially difficult round of contract negotiations.
But NIFA has balked at allowing Mangano to repay three years of back wages, arguing it would throw the county's finances out of balance. The unions are suing to overturn the freeze. If they succeed, Nassau could be on the hook for nearly $300 million in back wages all at once.
"This is an issue that should be settled," said Mangano, who wants to hire 150 police officers after the new labor deal is secured. "NIFA needs to be part of the solution."
www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/mangano-faces-serious-issues-in-second-term-as-nassau-exec-1.6490610
