VALHALLA — Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino’s refusal to refer a tentative contract for Westchester Community College workers to county legislators for approval has resulted in the union taking legal action to protect members and the proposed deal.
CSEA filed an improper practice charge with the state Public Employment Relations Board, citing bad faith bargaining on Astorino’s part after he rejected the signed memorandum of agreement for the Westchester Community College Unit. He claimed the agreement would impact his own protracted negotiations with the Westchester County Unit, where he has refused to refer a fact finding agreement to legislators. The college is considered a dual employer, with union contracts requiring approval from both the college Board of Trustees and the county Board of Legislators.
The same private negotiator was hired to represent management in these contract talks as was hired for the previous contract, which Astorino approved.
“Mr. Astorino has not supported his work force in the county, so it’s not surprising that he is not supporting the work force that keeps the college running,” said Unit President Carol Ann Zavarella-Vasta. “The departments in the college would not run effectively or efficiently without CSEA members. Unfortunately, the college’s administration is caught up in this dual employer triangle. We’re just looking to move forward with the deal we negotiated in good faith.”
