BUFFALO, N.Y. – AFSCME employees in Erie County will receive a one-time monetary incentive in hopes to bring the union and county back to the bargaining table.
AFSCME Local #1095 union workers at Erie Community College, Erie County Medical Center and the County of Erie, will receive a one-time $1,000 payment according to Legislator Ted Morton (R-Cheektowaga) in the hopes of restarting contract negotiations.
“Thank you to all the legislators that co- sponsored and voted in favor of giving the hard working union members of AFSCME Local #1095 a $1,000 payment to settle the expired contract of 2016. This was not a Republican or Democrat vote but was a vote to do what is right for the hard working people in Erie County government,” said AFSCME President Rich Canazzi.
“AFSCME workers provide valuable services but are some the lowest paid employees in our county. While issues remain regarding health care and future wages, resolving the 2016 portion by providing a one-time payment is a fiscally beneficial approach for the county that takes that year off the negotiation table and gives us an opportunity to move forward,” stated Legislator Morton. “I’m confident that we will be able to work together to find a solution that is beneficial to both ASFCME and Erie County going forward.”
Morton says the Poloncarz administration recently declared an impasse in the negotiations with AFSCME, which stopped all meaningful discussions between the two. This measure resolves the 2016 contract year and provides a launching point for both parties to return to the negotiating table. The payment is divided between ECC, ECMC and the county, which will take its portion from the $90 million undesignated fund balance.