Westchester County Board of Legislators
Labor Committee
Minutes: Meeting of Monday, February 25, 2002
PRESENT: Committee members – M. Kaplowitz, J. Maisano,
G. Latimer (Chair)
Staff – J. Cloidt, B. Dodds
Guests – B. Randolph (County Executive’s Office);
C. Finger; J. McPhillips (CSEA)
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:44 p.m. by Chair Latimer.
2. Establishing Committee Quorum
A motion was made by Mr. Kaplowitz to establish the
committee quorum at three Legislators present and voting.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Maisano. Vote: 3-0 in favor.
3. Establishing Fixed Committee Meeting Time
A motion was made by Mr. Kaplowitz to establish the
committee time on Mondays at 4:30 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Maisano. Vote: 3-0 in favor.
4. Committee Blueprint
Chair Latimer presented a draft of a proposed 2002-2003
Committee Blueprint; a motion was made by Mr. Kaplowitz to
adopt the Committee Blueprint document; the motion was
seconded by Mr. Maisano. Vote: 3-0 in favor.
5. Counsel to the Labor Committee
Chair Latimer introduced Carl Finger, Esq. of Scarsdale. Mr. Finger has agreed to serve as pro-bono counsel to the committee, with advice to be provided on a range of key issues. Chair Latimer thanked Mr. Finger for his willingness to be involved in the efforts of the committee.
6. Guest Speaker: Jack McPhillips, CSEA President, Unit 9200
Mr. Phillips presented a list of key CSEA Union priorities for the year 2002, and the committee entertained discussion on each point:
1. Contract – 2002 Having problem meeting with County.
Next negotiation meeting is scheduled for March 6th. Will update us in the future.
2. Health – CSEA reps are putting together a list of health
and safety issues directly relating to departments and will
address us in the future.
3. Staffing of unit – CSEA is proposing one union staff
person for every 500 people represented. Comparing it to
other units – will update us.
4. Parking – Committee is working on the issue and will be
doing a survey to ascertain parking situation (who pays,
who doesn’t pay, who gets spaces, etc).
5. Seasonal employees – Union feels that the Parks
Department parks is classifying employees as seasonal to
avoid overtime and hiring full time employees. Seasonal
receive no overtime or benefits. Some seasonal are hired for eleven months, let go and they rehired.
6. Office of Labor Relations – Union feels that this office is
needed, since Mr. Wittenberg is gone, they are not able to get answers because no one is available.
7. Training for new Supervisors – CSEA feels that
supervisors are not being trained on how to be a supervisor, and are thrown into situations. When
managers are promoted they may not be able to correctly handle it. In the past County government provided a 13- week program and that may be necessary to reinstitute.
8. Labor Management Committee – This would help solve
in-house problems. Probation feels there is no need for it,
doesn’t want it. Some Departments have them, some
don’t. Needs to be addressed.
9. Harassment of staff – Some Departments are harassing
staff once it has been approved for them to be involved. They are threatening them with flex time, job security, etc.
Mr. Maisano brought up the issue of child care; Mr. McPhillips stated that they had sent out a survey to find out about the problem and there was not a major consensus that it was a critical need. Interest ranged from needing help monetarily. to house day care at the worksite (to see one’s child during the day whenever they want to).
Chair Latimer asked if there were model programs for Labor Relations, so we could pattern our effort on that model. The union will see if such models exist.
Chair Latimer indicated he would place these priorities on the Board’s agenda for review by all Legislators. He thanked Mr. McPhillips for his presentation.
On motion of Mr. Kaplowitz, seconded by Chair Latimer, the meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m.