For Immediate Release

 For Information Contact:
Thursday, May 20, 2004

Brian Adey
 798-5800

Griffo Announces Appointments
to Labor-Management Council

           

Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo today announced the appointments to the county’s Labor-Management Council, which will meet in the month of May.

“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 issues to be discussed at the quarterly meetings 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.

            Griffo said membership of the panel will include:

            From management:

  •   Personnel Commissioner Paulette Nickerson;

  •   Labor Relations Director John Talerico;

  •  Assistant to the County Executive Brian Adey;

  •  Deputy Social Services Commissioner Lucille Soldato;

  •  Sheriff’s Department Civil Division Chief Ray Krull

            From labor:

  • Linda Kirnan, Business Representative United Public Service Employees Union ;

  • Phil Sedlock, Business Representative, United Public Service Employees Union ;

  • Lynda Schrader, President, Civil Service Employees Association Local 1000, Nurse’s Unit;

  • Jeffery Cuda, President, Oneida County Sheriff 's Deputies Police Benevolent Association;

  • Lisa Bellacosa, President, Oneida County Sheriff's Department Employees Local 1249;

            Griffo said the unions included on the panel represent about 90 percent of the county workforce.

“I believe very strongly that County Government has a responsibility as an employer to work with our labor unions,” Griffo said. “We will not always agree. However, I believe that when we meet regularly to discuss issues that are on our minds, we can establish a better rapport than if we just talk in the atmosphere of contract negotiations. Hard feelings come about when communications break down. My goal is to keep the line of communications open. The more we talk, the more creative we can be when looking to find win-win solutions that are good for employees and good for the taxpayers to whom I am responsible.”

 “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.”