Last Mediation Meeting Coming Up
1/13/08

The last required meeting before binding arbitration is scheduled.  The high expectations that all parties exhibited after the first meeting has diminished considerably.  There is no official word, but if this last meeting fails to bring us together then arbitration is the next step and last step.

Candidate's Views Still needed
11/04/07

Our request for a statement from local candidates goes mostly unanswered.  We would still post any statement from any candidate up to election day. Candidates are encouraged to email president@ocpba.org with their statement regarding the OCPBA.  Click to see who have responded and what they had to say.

Candidates' Views Requested
10/27/07

We are looking for input from any candidate looking to be elected to any position within local government.  This request is not limited County level positions.  If you are a candidate we would love to hear what you have to say with regards to our contract predicament.    We will be composing a page dedicated to your response that will be posted prior to election day.  Please email your position to president@ocpba.org

Binding Arbitration Only Hope?
10/22/07

Since our deadlock with Oneida County the next step is mediation.  If this fails then our issues will be brought before an arbitrator who will hear the arguments and make a decision.  Many feel that this is our only hope, but it is very costly to the union and equally so for the county.  The arbitrator can only make decisions on monetary issues, so several issues concerning both sides will not be resolved.  Issues like the unfair schedule, drug testing, the length of a work day, call back and on call questions won't be settled. These unsettled issues don't go away they just get added on to the next contract negotiations.   Save all the frustrations and costs,  support legislators that resolve to settle our contract.

Project Lifesaver Added
10/18/07

LIFESAVER - The most proactive program in response to persons prone to wandering because of mental degenerative diseases, is added to Programs Info page.  Get information on how to help safe guard your love ones suffering from dementia or similar diseases.

Assemblyman David Townsend Submits Letter of Support
10/17/07

The PBA receives a supportive letter from a local leader and former Sheriff's Deputy.  Assemblyman David Townsend adds his name to our cause and " ..request that the County of Oneida resume good faith negotiations with the Deputy Sheriff’s Police Union to ensure that these dedicated professionals are fairly compensated for the difficult and dangerous job they do..."  <complete letter>

VOTE of "NO Confidence" for County Executive Picente??
10/17/07

In a General Meeting this afternoon members of the PBA discussed the VOTE of  "no confidence" the Utica Police Union made against Mayor Tim Julian.  Discussion ensued as to whether this is a measure the OCPBA should consider in regard to the leadership and management skills exhibited by County Executive Anthony J. Picente concerning our PBA contract negotiations.  The membership tabled this matter for further discussion at a later date.

Online Petition Now Available!
10/14/07

The PBA has added an online petition, much like the ones you may have seen at local businesses.  This online version will make it easy for you to show your support for us during our contract troubles.  The data that is collected will be printed off and submitted along with traditional petitions to County Legislators.  So if you have not been able to sign one of our paper petitions out in circulation please consider signed this electronic petition.

Few Report Response from EMAILS
10/11/07

Only a few of our supporters received a reply from their email to the Legislative Body.  Of the 60 plus emails that have been sent to the them we are only aware of one legislator that has responded back.  Are you getting a response?  Are we wrong have more responded, we hope so!  Please let us know if you are happy or not with your response by emailing: president@ocpba.org

General "Disrespect" Perceived
10/09/07

Public Safety Services at "bargain prices" may be at the root of the notion that County Government has little respect for the Sheriff's Office.  The Office of the Sheriff should operate like most corporations or businesses,  meaning the more personal responsibility you have the more you are compensated. This model hold true from Burger King to IBM, but not for OCSO and not just among the rank and file but right up to the top.

Sheriff Middaugh is paid 20k less then his second in charge,  and several attempts to rectify this have gone unresolved. This and similar pay inconsistencies mocks the command structure at the Sheriff's Office. Add efforts to make up for budget overspending by cutting essential equipment allotments, like patrol vehicles, and you can see how the perception builds. Consider this, County Law Enforcement was 2% of the entire county budget in 2006, that's salaries, supplies and equipment. County Government would have you believe that it's more and resources can't be made available to pay Deputies a fair wage.

Popular Programs get Web Access
10/07/07

Two popular programs, Safe Child IDs and STOPPED are added to OCPBA.org check them out in Programs.

Deputies work without a contract!
09/28/07

We, the Oneida County Road Patrol Deputies and the Emergency 911 telecommunicators continue to work even though negotiations have broke down between us and the county.  Our contract expired Dec. 31st 2006. The contract talks have gone on since Nov of 2006  with no progress.

Union president Michael Simmons spoke before the county Board of Legislators in an effort to get them to negotiate in good faith. The county has not moved from the position that they had almost a year ago.  The county has put very little effort into the process. They requested more time to calculate proposals for cost assessments. They have also cancelled meetings, and did not dedicate full days to negotiations.  Some feel that it is all a stall tactic to hold off until after county elections in November. <<text of speech>>

What are the issues?   Contract Issues for specifics.

Your support is needed --  click How to Help! for support letters, form emails and other ways.