The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
NY Supreme Court Says Buffalo Firefighters Must Payback Raises
ELI GEORGE
WIVB
Reprinted with Permission
BUFFALO, N.Y. - A legal battle over raises has backfired for Buffalo firefighters and now they owe money to City Hall.
Tuesday night, Buffalo firefighters do what they do best: handle emergency calls. Now, the city's nearly 700 firefighters are faced with a different kind of challenge.
Acting City Corporation Counsel David Rodriguez said, "The firefighters will be looking at that 5.5 percent wage decrease probably in the next couple of weeks."
That's the word from Rodriguez.
Local 282 President Daniel Cunningham said, "The only reason this action happened is because we went to court to get them held in contempt for refusing to negotiate."
Firing back is Cunningham. The ruling from the State Supreme Court calls for the pay cut and wipes out the increase, which totaled 5.5 percent, firefighters were awarded in arbitration several years ago but only received in 2007 when the wage freeze in Buffalo was lifted. It's one part of a very complicated matter.
Rodriguez said, "I don't see how anyone can claim a victory in this court case. The union may claim a victory because maybe they have another piece on the IOD that's beneficial to them. Okay. Maybe they'll get their health insurance back."
"The city hasn't given us any indication they're going to give us our choices back. And also there's no indication the city is going to make restitution for all the vacation, holiday pay and everything else our members who have been off injured have been denied over the past four years," said Cunningham.
Firefighters have been without a contract since 2002. There's no doubt the city is coming after the money.
Rodriguez said, "We also have to look at recouping the 5.5 wage increases that were given to the firefighters going back to 2007."
"There will be members upset and there will be hardships on our family," said Cunningham.
Copyright WIVB.com
WIVB
Reprinted with Permission
BUFFALO, N.Y. - A legal battle over raises has backfired for Buffalo firefighters and now they owe money to City Hall.
Tuesday night, Buffalo firefighters do what they do best: handle emergency calls. Now, the city's nearly 700 firefighters are faced with a different kind of challenge.
Acting City Corporation Counsel David Rodriguez said, "The firefighters will be looking at that 5.5 percent wage decrease probably in the next couple of weeks."
That's the word from Rodriguez.
Local 282 President Daniel Cunningham said, "The only reason this action happened is because we went to court to get them held in contempt for refusing to negotiate."
Firing back is Cunningham. The ruling from the State Supreme Court calls for the pay cut and wipes out the increase, which totaled 5.5 percent, firefighters were awarded in arbitration several years ago but only received in 2007 when the wage freeze in Buffalo was lifted. It's one part of a very complicated matter.
Rodriguez said, "I don't see how anyone can claim a victory in this court case. The union may claim a victory because maybe they have another piece on the IOD that's beneficial to them. Okay. Maybe they'll get their health insurance back."
"The city hasn't given us any indication they're going to give us our choices back. And also there's no indication the city is going to make restitution for all the vacation, holiday pay and everything else our members who have been off injured have been denied over the past four years," said Cunningham.
Firefighters have been without a contract since 2002. There's no doubt the city is coming after the money.
Rodriguez said, "We also have to look at recouping the 5.5 wage increases that were given to the firefighters going back to 2007."
"There will be members upset and there will be hardships on our family," said Cunningham.
Copyright WIVB.com
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Bob Gee on
-
WHAT !!!! I mean WTF!
Absolutely positively obscene.... The New York Supreme Court is run by fat cat morons. I am floored !....Why would they do that? I agree Chief France, sounds like revenge to me. Did the Buffalo guys do something to piss off the NYSC Judges? It doesn't make sense......
-
Permalink Reply by Gregory Borg on
-
Just like cities to screw the employees, this is why we have unions and why they are politically active and powerful. In Washington that could never happen, not having a raise for 4 years would never happen as well. Because of political action, I do not especially like politicians but that is where the rubber meets the road. Political action works at all levels, national, state and city/local.
-
Permalink Reply by Andrew Janikowski on
-
I think people need to Freaking wake up and look in the mirror...I mean WTF no bennies for FOUR YEARS???? even if hurt on the job? If some one could put this is lamens terms so I could understand exactly why someone would be so ignorant...oh wait i know its not one d-bag its a bunch in one office in a city hall somewhere.... Absolutely Nucking Futs!!!!
-
Permalink Reply by Greg Ramsdell on
-
Let's look at this from both sides
It's been reported that the union wanted this ruling. One major reason is that now they will have their choice of Health insurance providers back. Some of those insurance contracts may provide coverage of elective cosmetic surgery and the likes. Sure that would be nice, but why should tax payers have to pay for a nose/boob/etc. Medically necessary, I'm all for it, but come on, where does it stop?
The average dollar amount to be paid back per member is in the 12k+ range. Yeah, that sucks. I believe the total amount reported is in the $8 million range. I hope the city and union can work that out. It also means that the union owes the city some money for over paid dues. In fact, this original ruling was made in the Fall of '09 I believe. My opinion, the firefighters shouldn't owe any thing from then till now. The city should have just gone with the decision
I haven't had a raise in 3+ years. I don't get overtime pay, just straight. Times are tough in one of the top 5 poorest cities in America. This has nothing to do with their performance, the money just isn't abundant like the old days.
Pension benefits are a killer. Everybody has a right to collect their pension that is due. These NYS pensions have a wonderful loophole and the public employees are using it. Kudos for them. Does it make it right, probably not.
Like any negotiations, the city is offering too little, the union is asking for too much, and vice versa.
The current administration of the city is in shambles anyway. Turmoil, FBI investigations, he said she said, it's more than just politics here. Good news, I guess, Buffalo is probably in a much better situation than NYS.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
