To Labor, An Ally Replaced By Another

By REUVEN BLAU

City and state union officials last week rallied around new Governor David A. Paterson, who has deep labor ties and a long history of championing worker-friendly legislation and initiatives.

DANNY DONOHUE: 'Paterson a labor friend.'

"David has been a good friend of labor," said Danny Donohue, the president of the Civil Service Employees Association, the state's largest public employee union.

Spitzer Also Helpful

Union leaders last week also stressed that ex-Governor Eliot Spitzer backed many of their causes as well during his short time in office, despite the numerous controversies that often shadowed his tenure.

Labor officials all said they were looking forward to working with Governor Paterson. His self-deprecating humor and candid approach are expected to be a stark contrast to his predecessor, who was widely criticized for his often-abrasive style and perceived inability to compromise with opponents.

"He could see the issues a lot clearer than other people could, but he also brought to it a sense of working together," Mr. Donohue said of Governor Paterson, who served in the State Senate beginning in 1985.

BASIL A. PATERSON: A friend at the top.

'He'll Collaborate'

The union officials all stressed that the new Governor has a keen grasp of the legislative process. "He understands how government has to work," Mr. Donohue remarked. "You need to bring people together to work on issues."

State AFL-CIO President Denis M. Hughes welcomed Mr. Paterson, noting that the labor movement has enjoyed an extended successful working relationship with him. "Throughout his career in public service, he has proven time and again his willingness to work with organized labor on issues of shared concern and interest," he said in a statement.

United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, who also serves as chair of the Municipal Labor Committee, echoed his sentiments.

"New York State is fortunate to have such an admirable and inspiring public servant during such a trying time," she said in a statement. "His strength of character, good humor, and compassion are vital assets for the challenges that lie ahead."

RANDI WEINGARTEN: 'An admirable official.'

Father Big Union Lawyer

The unions noted that Governor Paterson has strong labor roots. His father, Basil, is a powerful labor attorney who represents 1199/SEIU United Health Care Workers East, the UFT and Transport Workers Union Local 100, all of which have legislative and collective-bargaining business before the state.

The elder Paterson was the first African-American New York Secretary of State and served as a Deputy Mayor of New York City under ex-Mayor Ed Koch. He also served in the State Senate in the same seat his son later occupied.

While Mr. Spitzer abruptly left under a storm of criticism and ridicule, throughout his time in office the two largest state-employee unions repeatedly noted the former New York State Attorney General remained committed to doing more work in-house and to maintain staffing levels despite an emerging multi-billion dollar budget deficit.

Before the scandal broke, the unions hailed his overall proposed budget. According to Public Employees Federation President Ken Brynien, the budget called for increasing the state workforce by 1,846 employees, with at least 1,000 in the unit represented by PEF.

Added State Workers

In literature mailed to members, Mr. Brynien said that Mr. Spitzer's budget was beginning to reduce the state's reliance on private consultants by 452 contract workers, or 4 percent.

The state unions also pointed out that Mr. Spitzer's first budget increased the state workforce by nearly 2,500 employees, including hundreds of Nurses and Department of Transportation employees.

The unions last week were optimistic that the pro-labor Spitzer agenda would remain largely intact.

"I have about the same general point of view," Governor Paterson said during a press conference in Albany four days before he was sworn in.

Some of the labor organizations are hoping he actually goes a step further than his predecessor. They will soon begin lobbying him to support specific legislation to increase funding for added workers or to offset possible cuts due to widening financial gaps.

For instance, United University Professions is urging the State Legislature to okay $15 million earmarked to pay for 400 additional faculty members at the State University of New York. "We know that the Lieutenant Governor has had a very good track record when it comes to supporting public higher education," said UUP spokesman Don Feldstein.

'Knows Need for Faculty'

He noted that in 2006 Mr. Paterson spoke before the union's legislative luncheon when was still serving as the Senate Minority Leader. "He heartily endorsed the need for more full-time faculty at SUNY," Mr. Feldstein recalled.

Mr. Paterson's comments, however, were made at a time when the funding decision was largely out of his hands. The union plans to continue to lobby the State Legislature, which is facing an April 1 budget deadline with a looming $4.4-billion projected deficit.

"You still have the same cast of folks in the Legislature, and we are working with them," Mr. Feldstein remarked.

But there appears to be a "spirit of cooperation" in Albany since the scandal broke, he added. "We hope that paves the way for more funds for fulltime faculty," he said.

A Former Prof

The new Governor has a unique understanding of UUP issues. While working as a lawmaker, Mr. Paterson served as an adjunct Professor at Columbia University's School for International and Public Affairs, Mr. Feldstein noted.

UUP is also seeking the establishment of a new SUNY hospital in Buffalo to help train medical students attending the SUNY Buffalo Health Science Center. The union represents more than 34,000 academic and professional faculty and employees at SUNY.

Teamsters Local 237 President Greg Floyd, who represents 22,000 city and Housing Authority workers, said that Mr. Paterson - whose father also negotiates for his union - has offered a "sympathetic ear" to the union's causes. "I know he does have a fondness for working people, people who are underprivileged, and also people in general," Mr. Floyd said during a March 13 phone interview.

The union president traveled to Albany to witness the swearing-in of state's first African-American Governor. "He's not the first African-American to be qualified to be the Governor but that's where we are today - it says a lot," Mr. Floyd remarked before the ceremony.

As for Mr. Spitzer, Mr. Donohue said his sudden resignation represented the "loss of what could have been in New York."

But he quickly added, "There are no kings or emperors. There are only people working together for the common good."