In an unusual display of unity the Troy City Council rejected a year-and-a-half old agreement between Mayor Rosamilia and the Troy Police Benevolent Association that would change the service requirements for lifetime health insurance benefits from twenty years to ten years . The agreement was signed in June of 2014 but only presented to the Council for ratification last night. Perhaps Corporation Counsel found the agreement while cleaning out his desk.*
According to those present, the administration offered no explanation for the agreement or the lengthy fermentation process. Nothing. Nada. Not even an "oops, did I do that?" The Council hasn't been this united since they voted on whether or not there were seven days in the week (even then there was one dissent).
The Troy Polloi has a few questions for Lou:
1) What the hell were you thinking?
2) No, answer the question!
3) Really, just tell us what the hell happened!
4) Ah....screw it.
Perhaps a legal-type (and we know a few read this based on some e-mails we have received) can help illuminate something for us about this agreement and the entire process. What was signed in June of 2014 has been called an 'agreement.' However, an agreement is not a contract. While every contract is an agreement not all agreements are contracts. A valid contract is enforceable. Unilateral promises and agreements are not. Contracts involve a little something called consideration. For instance, "we agree to pay health care costs for those with ten or more years of service in exchange for no pay raises for twenty years."
Here, what did the City get in exchange for the agreement? Even if the Council did ratify the agreement, is it actually a contract or just a giveaway? We'll let the lawyers hash that one out and we're sure that is already in the works.
*Sources confirm that Corporation Counsel Ian Silverman has accepted a position with the Office of Mental Health. Four years with Lou has given Ian the experience necessary to represent that agency
18 comments:
A brief moment of united sanity on the part of the council.
Something is clearly missing from the equation. According to the article there is a pending arbitration case on this issue. How in the hell did this get to arbitration without anyone knowing about it? Does every aspect of Troy labor relations happen under double-secret probation(you get one extra point if you know the reference)? Was another officer denied coverage? Which side requested the arbitration? Does anyone who covers the city for the lamestream media have so much as a clue about labor relations in the public sector? How in the name of God does the mayor even THINK about signing such an agreement without even informal consultation with the council? Why does the head of the PBA continue to imply that the Council knew of this action? I guess the rumors of Steve Dworsky being Lou's negotiating adviser were correct.
When you think it cannot get any worse in Troy it does.
They need to go in the opposite direction. No lifetime benefits without large contributions from retirees, if at all. This is unheard of in today's economic situation.
Politics aside, Troy has a police force right now that is in complete decline of morale. It is honestly worrisome that we have forgotten who we call when we need help. No one thinks they will be the next Bill Chamberlain. Contract negotiations are a normal matter of business in any city. But don't hold our officers accountable for the extreme political tension that reeks in the atmosphere of Troy. Every time something bad happened this year, the police were there to handle it. The job is stressful, and the daily things our officers bear witness to, is hard- harder than many of you could ever imagine. Maybe try to stop playing political ping pong with our guardians, and instead, throw a little support their way. They are people after all, not machines.
Happy holidays..
Most voters, myself included, respect the Troy Police and appreciate the hard job that they do.
However, many on the TPD end up earning more than the Mayor, who is at least nominally their boss, and most earn more and end up with better retirement and health benefits than the troops we deploy to combat zones, whose jobs are far more dangerous.
Both the self-described "Republican Police Chief" and the PBA actively participate and contribute to the "extreme political tension" @ 6:46 PM complains about.
But when some of our overzealous officers (usually the same handful) are sued in Federal Court for excessive force or some other Civil Rights violation(s), the City (the taxpayers) pays for it, NOT the individual officers.
Whatever the cause of the TPD's declining morale, it seems like @ 6:46 is making a veiled threat: give the TPD anything and everything they demand or they'll stop doing the job they're already being paid (pretty well) to do.
Bringing Bill Chamberlain into this discussion is sickening, and whoever that brave anonymous @ 6:46 is should be ashamed.
I agree with @ 8:15 PM: Fuck you.
I remember the chief of police say once that 90% of the crime in the city of Troy is perpetrated by 35 people. I bet those percentages are the same in the Troy PBA.
Perfectly stated 12:15. I couldn't agree more!
12.15 deserves all the accolades. Let me just add that we can support our PD and still oppose the outrageous topic at hand. We are not mad at the PD for this action by the Administration, we are furious at the Mayor.
I'm my own guardian. If I relied on you and your police department I'd be fucked.
Go tell the girl in the suitcase how stressed out you are and all the terrible shit you see that requires you to collect 100k a year plus benefits while living in West Sand Lake or Colonie.
Posers, fakes and criminals , that's what you are.
This deal definitely stinks. What I would like is an explanation about how it happened in the first place and why it was kept a secret for so long. For this to come to light weeks before the current administration and City Council is leaving is beyond fishy. The new Mayor, his staff and the new Council have their work cut out for them. Hoping no other bomb shells are discovered.
Bingo!
Big surprise that he can't help but be a shithole. What would you expect.
Only in Troy can the public sentiment turn so quickly. @ 6:46, the shootings of the two police officers had this city solidly behind the TPD. Then the deal by your prized PBA president who by the way is now recognized as the most dishonest cop to ever put on a uniform. Then you use the heart wrenching tragedy to somehow whine about your job and the death of Mr. Chamberlain. Take your call from Fitzy and laugh how you reduced Lou to a laughing stock. As many posters have stated, Fuck You.
Next Fitzgerald? It IS Fitzgerald.
Say what you want about Fitz but he did his job for the PBA.
He did did he? He got Lou elected also Rodney Doherty and Anastasia. How'd that work out for you guys?
For the record majority of the members of the police pay for health insurance and will continue to pay after retirement. There are only few bunch that get free health care due to an old contract. Look at the council members who get free health care for part time work and also how mayors receive free health care even after they are out of office
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