Union payout wrong move

I am disappointed that the Erie County Legislature granted $600 to every American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees employee to resolve a labor negotiating impasse for 2005. This payout does not settle any terms for 2006, 2007 or beyond. However, it does send the message that if negotiations stop, the Legislature will unilaterally offer a cash payout. With contracts for all eight of the county's bargaining units now expired, this is a dangerous precedent.

The payout is unfair to all parties involved. It is unfair to our new county executive, whose job it is to negotiate labor contracts, because it diminishes his ability to bargain effectively with the unions. It is also unfair to AFSCME. Union members could have possibly negotiated an even higher cash package by giving up a benefit that members value less than cash. The members now do not have that opportunity. The payout is also unfair to Erie County taxpayers.

The payout will cost taxpayers $816,000. The Legislature plans to fund the payout by raiding a surplus that may not exist. If the surplus exists, the payout will come at the expense of replenishing the fund balance, which means extending the Control Board's tenure. If not, the payout could come at the cost of nearly $10 million in road projects, factoring in federal matching grants. Erie County cannot afford this payout.

The governor's proposed budget transfers the costs of many programs to local governments, including Erie County. I have sponsored resolutions opposing these unfunded mandates. The costs shifts, if approved, will add more than $5 million in additional expenses to the county, which are not in the budget. Despite these looming extra costs, the Legislature has chosen to impose unfunded mandates upon the taxpayers, in the form of these payouts. It is irresponsible, shortsighted and wrong.
Edward A. Rath III
Erie County legislator
15th District