For Immediate Release:
February 14,2013
Contact:The State Office
518.436.8827
States Voice Opposition to Cuomo’s Binding Arbitration Proposal
Fire fighters from across the country have written to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to express their opposition to a proposal that severely erodes an arbitrator’s ability to make a fair judgment when contract negotiations involving fire fighters and police reach impasse.
NYSPFFA President Michael McManus said: “Fire fighters from coast to coast are learning about Governor Cuomo’s record in New York. First they heard about his efforts to create new pension tiers and reduce benefits for first responders, and now they are aware of an ill-conceived binding arbitration proposal that specifically strips away the rights of fire fighters during contract negotiations.”
The proposal seeks to alter a well-established and process of binding arbitration that threatens the integrity of the negotiations. Among its most significant flaws is the potential for fiscal sleight-of-hand that disguises the resources of a municipality and artificially impacts outcomes.
“For the last few weeks, the line of fire fighters getting behind their New York sisters and brothers grows longer and longer. At the moment it stretches from California to Maine, and from Wisconsin to Texas. And I know more are coming because they have concluded that Governor’s support for fire fighters is superficial, and his actions are unacceptable. Across the country and here in New York, there is a simple truth common to us all - Fire Fighters Do Not Forget” McManus continued.
Richard Mohler, President of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters said:
“We are disappointed that you have taken such a hard turn away from New York’s progressive labor tradition. Being from a ‘right to work or, as we refer to it, a right to beg’ state, we look to areas of the country such as New York to give us hope. Hope that one day we may work in an environment where our dedication to our job is appreciated and our well-being important. I ask for you not to drag our brothers and sisters down to our level but leave legislation in place that protects their rights and promotes a positive work environment. We question your sincerity, are confused by your ideology and simply are unable to understand your true political compass.”
Tim Hill, President of the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona in his letter to Governor Cuomo said:
“We call on you to withdraw your proposal. Those of us who work and represent our members in Right to Work for Less states need to be able to point to progressive governors and states such as New York to say, ‘Here is how it’s done, here is how workers should be treated.’ An attack on the rights of New York’s Fire Fighters is truly damaging to all of us across the country and is not to be taken lightly.”
An independent study by researchers at Cornell University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology detailing the “Long Haul Effects of Interest Arbitration” concludes that strikes have been avoided, and the use of binding arbitration has not resulted in an escalation of wages.
The study can be accessed here: https://www.nyspffa.org/main/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/NYSPFFA-ALARM-Cornell-MIT-Study-on-the-Effects-of-Binding-Arbitration-2009.pdf
2/20 Update: Professional fire fighter associations from Nebraska and Massachusetts have sent letters in opposition to Governor Cuomo’s proposal.
3/5 Update: The National Association of Police Organizations, Inc. has also sent a letter to Governor Cuomo in opposition to his binding arbitration proposal.
The New York Professional Fire Fighters Association (NYSPFFA) represents 18,000 men and women working full-time as members of municipal fire departments across the state. NYSPFFA advocates on behalf of members who serve in 104 local unions, 41 counties and in the boroughs of New York City.
#