URGENT CALL TO ACTION
On Tuesday, January 22, 2013, Governor Andrew Cuomo released his proposed budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2013-14. While the Governor’s budget proposes to extend Binding Arbitration for 4 years, it contains an unprecedented attack on fundamental Firefighters’ rights by requiring an arbitrator to make a determination as to whether a local government (county, city, town or village subject to the tax cap) is “Fiscally Distressed” when local contract negotiations reach impasse.
Fiscally Distressed is defined as:
- The local government’s average full value property tax rate is above the 75th percentile for all municipalities statewide, as averaged over the most recent 5 fiscal years; or
- The local government’s 5 year average general fund balance equals less than 5% of its budget.
If a local government is deemed Fiscally Distressed, by law, an arbitrator will be prohibited from making an award that increases compensation (including but is not limited to salary, stipends, location pay, insurance, and health insurance) by more than 2% per year.
The NYSPFFA has begun and will continue to meet with Legislative leaders, rank and file members of both houses and the Comptroller’s office every day to defeat this attack on our members’ rights. In addition, we have initiated an aggressive communications effort to highlight the failings and assault on firefighters stemming from the Governor’s proposal.
Further, we are coordinating with the statewide police organizations to combat this issue on multiple fronts.
The NYSPFFA is also calling on all locals and their members to contact their respective Legislative representatives and the Governor’s office to voice your opposition to this proposal.
To find your Assembly representative’s number click here
To find your Senator’s number click here
The Governor’s office by can be contacted at: (518) 474-8390
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver can be contacted at: (518) 455-3791
Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb can be contacted at: (518) 455-3751
Co-Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos can be contacted at: (518) 455-3171
Co-Senate Majority Leader Jeff Klein can be contacted at: (518) 455-3595
Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins can be contacted at: (518) 455-2585