Things get heated
As Shaddock began listing possible medical disasters that could result from the gap in coverage, Myers stopped her. “This is absolutely disgusting,” she said. “I’m going to stop you right there. This is not a negotiating session.”
Myers explained that the insurer was supposed to have provided new identification cards and had the plan in place, but had failed to do so. All the employees now have cards, and the situation should work out, she said.
The discussion became heated as Myers accused Shaddock of “making up stuff,” and Shaddock responded that she was not making up anything.
Shaddock noted that highway workers were out in the recent hurricanes, and have worked hard for the town. “And this is how they’re being treated,” she said.
“We appreciate the service of our town employees,” Myers said. “You are not a town employee, you are not a citizen of Saugerties, and your time is up. I’d rather hear from our employees and the people who live in town.”
Several members of the highway department were in attendance. When given a chance to speak, each ceded their time to Shaddock.
While the board is willing to sit down at the table and negotiate, “this type of confrontation is not negotiating,” said board member Fred Costello.
“You have a right to do your job as you choose, but normally when we have a negotiation we make an appointment and we negotiate at the table,” he said. “We’ve participated in a number of negotiations positively with these men here. We’ve done it positively in the past. We’re more than willing to sit down with them. So far, we have negotiated three successful contracts, and the only one we have not resolved is the Teamsters.”
Shaddock drew a sharp response from Costello when she said, “both sides know how to play the game.”
“I resent that you’re calling this a game,” Costello said. “We take it very seriously. We take our responsibility to the taxpayers very seriously, we have the same economic troubles everyone else has, and we take our responsibility to these gentlemen very seriously.”
Myers accused Shaddock of “taking your failed attempt at three mediation sessions to the media. We’ve had three other unions settle on fair, healthy, good contracts, and you’re asking that we give more to one union – essentially penalize the other employees.”
The town has contracts with the Police Benevolent Association, the Communications Workers of America and the United Public Service Employees Union. In addition, the Town Board negotiates salaries with a group of employees who are not formally represented by a union.
Citing the communities in the area that have raised taxes and laid off employees, Costello said he took pride in the fact that Saugerties has done neither, and has been able to offer employees a salary increase. “I am proud that because of sound management, we are able to offer a raise and not have layoffs hanging over our heads. That shows that we have done our job. I wish we could offer them more, just as I wish we could offer every employee more, but I couldn’t explain to the taxpayers, who can’t afford it either.”
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Unions! Am I right?