PERB Fair to PBA

To the Editor:

Regarding the dispute between the Mayor and the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association over arbitration at PERB, it is important to remember that until very recently the uniformed services' only avenue to a contract was through the city's Office of Collective Bargaining.

They were forbidden by the Taylor Law from striking or having any sort of job action. They were put in a position of take it or leave it.

Whenever questions arose about negotiations, the city always responded that it was bargaining in good faith. Because of the stranglehold the city had on negotiations, the PBA sued and won the right to have the state PERB decide the issues through arbitration. This action was not appreciated by the city.

When the Mayor appears regularly on his weekday radio talk show, at some time during the program he makes sure to express puzzlement as to why any union would go outside the city to settle its contract.

Is it possible that the Mayor is afraid that other unions, realizing the futility of bargaining with the city, will turn to PERB for a fair settlement, thereby exposing the statement, "The city bargains in good faith," as the big lie now and in the past?"

PAT MAHER

Editor's note: Mr. Maher is a retired 42nd Precinct PBA delegate.