City workers are sure to be treated with plenty of dignity and respect should Bill de Blasio become mayor, but some municipal union leaders say it’s all about the Benjamins.
“Quite frankly, forget the praise and give us a raise,” said Michael Palladino, president of the Detectives Endowment Association, after the Democratic public advocate and mayoral frontrunner sang the praises of the roughly 300,000 city employees during a speech to the Municipal Labor Committee last week.
“How else are you going to show the workforce your appreciation?” added Palladino, whose union has opposed de Blasio’s pledges to reform the controversial stop-and-frisk policy. “Give them a contract so that they can afford to live in New York City.”
The roughly 35-minute closed-door address in lower Manhattan drew mixed reviews.
One union leader who watched it said that de Blasio carefully tiptoed around the unions’ demand for retroactive raises.
“There was nothing really substantive,” said the leader, who asked to remain anonymous.
Other union bosses were more realistic.
“Whoever has that seat is going to be facing a daunting deficit, and they are going to have to deal with it,” said Greg Floyd, head of Teamsters Local 237, which represents 20,000 city hospital and school officers.
Floyd, whose union endorsed Bill Thompson, did not attend the meeting due to a scheduling conflict.
The Bloomberg administration has insisted that any raises be offset in part by reductions in health care costs.
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“Show us the Money.”” data-src=”/wp-content/uploads/migration/2013/10/14/LI6VMAG45CWN3MXMOFWL4TC4TE.jpg”>
“Show us the Money.”
The city would like to overhaul the program by seeking a new, $6 billion consolidated plan. The scheme calls for workers to start paying their health insurance premiums for the first time — a switch the Mayor’s Office estimates would save taxpayers about $400 million a year.
The workers are furious about the plan, however, and the unions have managed to delay it in court.
Meanwhile, city negotiators continue to try to hash out their differences with the United Federation of Teachers through a tedious process of nonbinding arbitration that started in May.
The outcome of that hearing is expected in December, and the ruling will probably establish the framework for the next teachers contract.
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The NYPD U.S. Navy Association is holding its 15th Remembrance Day Ceremony this Thursday, at 11 a.m., at One Police Plaza, in celebration of the Navy’s 238th birthday.
Rear-Admiral John Weigold is guest speaker, and NYPD Inspector Theresa Tobin will be honored with the Stephen Driscoll Distinguished Service Award.
For information, visit www.nypdusnavy.com.
