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County Executive’s Labor Relations Policy Includes
Labor-Management Council, Employee Recognition Program

County Executive Joseph A. Griffo is shown with the August nominees in the Department of Social Services'  "Employees Who Make a Difference" Program. The DSS program is a model for a similar program the County Executive plans to create county-wide for all employees. Pictured are, from left, County Executive Joseph A. Griffo, Sue Wagner - Head Social Welfare Examiner, Laurie Olney - Senior Social Welfare Examiner, Connie Wheelock - Senior Administrative Assistant, Jennifer Heinrich - Data Entry Machine Operator, Frank Samide - Medical Worker, Social Services Commissioner Ted Mohr.

Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo today announced that he will seek to implement measures to increase the opportunities given to Oneida County residents through major infrastructure projects funded with county tax dollars.

As part of his labor relations policy, Griffo also announced the creation of a joint Labor-Management Council to increase communication between county officials and union leaders and the beginning of a county-wide employee recognition program to honor and encourage good service on behalf of county taxpayers.

"The common thread here is that the working people of Oneida County, whether they are in the private sector looking for opportunity or in the public sector showing dedication to their jobs, deserve the greatest possible support," Griffo said.

Griffo said his "Hire Oneida County" program would require that contractors bidding on county infrastructure contracts hire Oneida County residents, where possible.

"As Mayor of Rome, I worked with all of our citizens, agencies and partners to ensure that Romans were given the first chance at opportunity. We worked hard to help the community by lifting up all of the people," Griffo said. "As County Executive, I want to extend that same mindset to all the people of the county. My charge to the task force exploring this idea is to find the right language we can use that will ensure we get quality work, the taxpayer pays the lowest possible price, and our Oneida County residents have the ability to share in the enormous amount of construction and other work being done in our county."

Griffo said he has directed the Oneida County Attorney’s office to work with local unions in drafting the policy, which he will seek to have incorporated in all projects funded through the county, EDGE, and local IDAs.

"The goal of everything we do is to provide the biggest possible window of opportunity for the people of Oneida County to achieve success and prosperity," he said. "We need to take the initiative and look at creative concepts that will put the people of Oneida County first. County Government needs to take a stand to be the leading advocate for the workers of this county. If we’re going to put up the money, our working families are going to benefit."

Within County Government, Griffo said his actions are geared to establishing cordial relations between County Government and the unions representing county workers.

"Unions and management will always have differences. The goal of the Labor-Management Council is to create and maintain an on-going dialogue on the issues so that we all understand one another and – when it is time to negotiate – have achieved a mutual respect that will translate into fair agreements for all concerned," said Griffo, who added that he felt a similar panel he established as Rome Mayor was a major factor in the good relations between City Government and Rome’s unions.

Griffo said the council would include representation from the four unions that represent 90 percent of the county workforce (United Public Service Employees Union, Civil Service Employees Association Local 1000, Oneida County Sheriff's Deputies Police Benevolent Association, and Oneida County Sheriff's Department Employees Local 1249), Labor Relations Director John Talerico, a representative of his office and other county officials. Meetings would occur quarterly. Griffo said issues to be discussed would be set by the unions but noted that increased emergency planning, staff development and long-range county staffing would all be important parts of the Council’s agenda.

"It’s no secret County Government is being strained to support programs and minimize taxes," Griffo said. "I want to enlist the creativity and ideas of our unions in the process of shaping County Government for the future. I believe we can achieve a brighter future through teamwork and cooperation than antagonism and adversarial relationships."

Griffo said establishing a county-wide Employee Recognition Program is one part of his plan to emphasize the good work being done by County Employees.

"Dedicated employees are the backbone of government," Griffo said. "We have county workers who have gone above and beyond on a routine basis to serve people and save taxpayers money. These people deserve recognition for the work they do because they are under-appreciated. They need to be encouraged to be more creative, and not made the subject of unfair criticism."

Griffo said his program would be coordinated through the office of Personnel Commissioner Paulette Nickerson modeled after a program now in place in the Department of Social Services. The Department’s Employees Who Make a Difference Program honors employees nominated by co-workers for their efforts.

"Having served as Mayor of Rome and now Oneida County Executive, I know how vital these employees are. When you work in public service, you realize that every day, front-line staff have tremendous power to change the lives of the people they see, or to help the taxpayers by finding new ways to stretch resources. I want their dedication held up for all the county to see."