5 Uniformed Unions Favor Bill to Extend Term Limits; Praise Bloomberg's Stewardship:

Even as critics of Mayor Bloomberg's plan to extend term limits without a voter referendum packed two City Council hearings on the issue Oct. 16 and 17, several city unions stepped forward to support his effort to make the change legislatively.

ED MULLINS: 'Give voters shot at stability.'

The Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, the Detectives Endowment Association and the Uniformed Sanitationmen's Association all support the bill that would open the door to a third term, which Mr. Bloomberg said he is seeking because of the broadening financial crisis. The United Federation of Teachers and the Captains Endowment Association have called for the law to be decided through referendum as it was in 1993 and 1996.

DC 37, UFA on Sidelines

Other prominent unions including District Council 37, the Court Officers Association and the Uniformed Firefighters Association have not taken a position.

PBA President Patrick V. Lynch spoke of the importance of continuity in city government so the union did not have to "re-educate new Council Members on the issues that affect New York City Police Officers."

JOHN McDONNELL: 'Bloomberg up to the challenge.'

"We haven't been shy about disagreeing with Mayor Bloomberg in the past, but in this case I agree with the Mayor and Speaker Quinn that the uncertain times we are in require us to give voters the most possible options for leadership," SBA President Ed Mullins said in a statement. "Extending term limits now while putting the issue up to the voters in 2010 will allow New Yorkers to have real choices, so democracy can be exercised to its fullest extent. No one wants a return of the dark days of crime and declining quality of life."

The UFOA executive board unanimously voted to support a change in the Term Limits Law, citing the current fiscal crisis as the reason. "Mayor Mike Bloomberg is clearly prepared for the financial difficulties that threaten to bring the city to its knees," said UFOA President John J. McDonnell. "Mayor Bloomberg demonstrated his leadership abilities immediately upon taking office in January 2002, leading the city back to its position as the financial capital of America."

CEA: Do It By Referendum

CEA President Roy T. Richter equally praised Mr. Bloomberg, but limited his endorsement to asking for a new referendum, which the Mayor has said there is not enough time for before next year's election. "It appears the original voter referendum has been found to be flawed and it allows the City Council to take action that allows a third term," said Mr. Richter in an e-mail. "If the City Council takes this action, I hope a revised referendum will be presented to the voters in this city that allows their direct input."

Mr. Richter, like the other union leaders, was careful not to explicitly support Mr. Bloomberg for four more years before the possibility of a third term is decided. "If he presents himself as a candidate in the upcoming election, we would consider endorsing him," he said.

DEA President Michael J. Palladino testified at City Hall Oct. 16 that he supported an extension of term limits. "I'm not and I've never been a fan of term limits," he said in a phone interview the following day. "It limits the choices." He said he does not believe in term limits at all but prefers three terms to two.

Stresses Need for Continuity

"Being a labor leader in New York City, I think the focus needs to be on continuity of leadership and continuity of good government," he said. "We're going to wipe out the CEO and 60 to 70 percent of the board of directors of the city with term limits."

Mr. Palladino also said it is difficult for his union and others to continually deal with new leadership in the City Council. "By the time they get their feet on the ground, it's time to leave office," he explained.

A UFA spokesman was unsure whether the union would get involved. Court Officers Association President Dennis Quirk said his union might act after a delegate meeting, remarking, "I would say that Mayor Bloomberg has done an excellent job and the City Council has done an excellent job."