College workers fight back after county executive sabotages deal VALHALLA — Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino may have assumed CSEA-represented community college workers here would quietly accept his rejection of their contract deal after he spun the deal as bad for taxpayers. Instead, Astorino’s rejection has mobilized a work force fed up with the county executive’s penchant for lies and half-truths about public employee wages and benefits. “Astorino rejected our contract based on skewed figures and information that has absolutely nothing to do with our contract,” said Westchester Community College Unit President Carol Ann Zavarella-Vasta. “He neglected to give legislators the chance to review the proposal before he decided to reject the contract.” The Westchester Community College Unit is unusual because the college is considered a dual employer. That means when CSEA reaches a tentative contract, both the Board of Trustees and the county Board of Legislators must ratify the agreement. The county executive has the right to weigh in via his veto power. In a press release announcing the rejection, Astorino claimed the agreement would force a tuition hike at the college and would impact his own negotiations with the Westchester County Unit, where he has stalled negotiations after CSEA rejected a fact-finding agreement. “Since Astorino became the county executive, he has not supported his work force and has only undermined the county’s union work force by trying to diminish their wages either by not granting contracts or by layoffs.” In response, college officials issued a statement explaining that they had run the numbers and the deal would not have the impact Astorino claimed. Board members even passed a resolution vowing not to increase tuition, refuting the county executive’s claims. Zavarella-Vasta said the contract rejection affirms Astorino’s anti-labor stance. “Since Astorino became the county executive, he has not supported his work force and has only undermined the county’s union work force by trying to diminish their wages either by not granting contracts or by layoffs,” she said. CSEA has filed an imporper practice charge against Astorino. — Jessica Ladlee 2015 Polar Plunges Buffalo – Woodlawn Beach State Park: Dec. 5, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Oneida Shores – Brewerton Polar Plunge: Dec. 6, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Staten Island – Polar Plunge at The Vanderbilt: Dec. 6, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m For some time now, CSEA teams have participated in Polar Plunge events to help support Special Olympics of New York. CSEA has a long relationship with the Special Olympics, as the union represents nearly 20,000 workers in the developmental disabilities field. Many CSEA members are involved with helping Special Olympics athletes train and prepare for their participation. Some events for the 2015-16 season have already passed, but there are more events to participate in or donate to this winter. 2016 Polar Plunges Rochester – 16th Annual Polar Plunge at Ontario Beach Park: Feb. 1, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fishkill – Sharpe Reservation, Camp Mariah: Feb. 21, 9 a.m – Noon North Hempstead – 12th Annual Polar Plunge at North Hempstead Beach Park: March 5, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Oyster Bay – 3rd Annual Polar Plunge at TOBAY Beach: March 19, 9:30 am – 1 p.m. Ithaca – 3rd Annual Polar Plunge at Taughannock Falls State Park: March 19, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m For more information and to register or donate, visit polarplungeny.org. The Capital Region’s CSEA Seals took to the icy waters of Lake George recently to raise funds for the programs and services of Special Olympics. From left, Jeff Decker, Capital Region Membership Committee chair, reacts to an extra splash from Brenda Facin, Capital Region 2nd vice president. December 2015 The Work Force 7
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