See Contract Edge
Uniformed Coalition Being Considered

By REUVEN BLAU

A group of uniformed unions Jan. 4 met to discuss creating a coalition to negotiate a new wage contract, which could set a uniformed wage pattern for the current round of bargaining, THE CHIEF-LEADER has learned.

TONY GARVEY: In unity there's leverage.

By all accounts, the coalition is in its nascent stages, as many of the mainly supervisory unions are in different stages of their wage talks with the city, with some having a year or more to run on their current deals. It remains unclear which labor organizations will be part of the proposed alliance, which is being coordinated by Anthony Garvey, president of the Lieutenants' Benevolent Association, and Peter L. Gorman, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers' Association.

Lack Entry-Level Unions

Notably, the meeting included only one uniformed union representing entry-level titles, the Correction Officers' Benevolent Association. But sources indicated that COBA President Norman Seabrook - who chaired the uniformed coalition that negotiated a 2001 contract - showed up an hour late to the morning conference and did not appear enthusiastic about the idea. Mr. Seabrook did not respond to calls seeking comment.

NORMAN SEABROOK: Less enthused than in '01.

The gathering was held in a conference room at the Detectives' Endowment Association's lower Manhattan headquarters. "Ideas were exchanged," Mr. Garvey said. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 18.

Mr. Garvey said that the unions are looking to join forces to increase their bargaining clout. "If you look back, we've been successful in a uniformed coalition in the past," he remarked. "When you can go before the Office of Labor Relations with as many as 10 to 13 unions, you are negotiating from strength there."

The unions representing Sanitation Workers and Firefighters, however, did not attend the meeting. "I've already started my talks," said Harry Nespoli, president of the Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association, the day before the conference. "I'm really up in the air right now."

But those contract negotiations could be put on hold should a coalition be established, as Labor Commissioner James F. Hanley may seek to settle with the group to set a definitive uniformed pattern.

JAMES F. HANLEY: Likes the convenience.

Hanley Likes Concept

Mr. Hanley said that he hadn't been contacted yet by the coalition. "Historically, coalitions have worked well, and certainly for our uniformed employees," he added during a Jan. 5 phone interview. "If you have the ability to settle the majority of all your contracts at the same time, it makes it a bit easier for everyone."

One union official, however, suggested that Mr. Hanley may be reluctant to negotiate with the coalition if it does not include any larger unions that would solidify the pattern. "I think that you would need entry-level groups like sanitation and corrections to join in," the official remarked, asking to remain anonymous.

In at least one case, however - the UFOA in 1994 - the city used a deal with a union representing superior officers to establish a uniformed pattern.

Mr. Garvey said that the next step for the alliance would be setting up ground rules for members. "Until the coalition is formed and we've drafted some rules, it's hard to say who will be in it," he added.

The LBA president noted the group had reached out to the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. But the PBA is currently in arbitration, looking to work out a contract award that is already one round behind practically all the uniformed unions. In addition, the PBA has been strongly opposed in the past to joining such groups, arguing that it can negotiate a more favorable contract on its own.

SBA Piggybacking

The Sergeants' Benevolent Association has taken a similar stance, and is waiting for the PBA's arbitration award to be issued before moving forward, insiders have said.

Another group that may be left out is the Captains' Endowment Association. The CEA, which represents 750 Captains, is in mediation with the city for the round of bargaining covering 2003 forward. CEA President John Driscoll nonetheless attended last week's meeting.

Despite hosting the meeting, DEA President Michael J. Palladino said he wasn't sure yet if his union would join the discussed alliance. "Although I am open to a uniformed coalition, the DEA contract does not expire until March 2008," said Mr. Palladino. "My focus right now is the shooting in Queens. I haven't made any definitive decision on any coalition yet."

But Joseph Mannion, president of the Sanitation Officers' Association Local 444 of the Service Employees' International Union, said he was excited by the idea. "I think it's a great thing," he said. "I've always believed that the uniformed forces should be negotiating together; the bigger the group, the bigger the power."