Milford Labor Unions Cry Foul

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and unfortunately those union workers deemed expendable are the "measure of choice. The current job market is terrible, and in Milford if you are a security guard, a Public Works employee or a low level aid be thankful your contract was renewed this year.

Last week I read in the newspaper that the School security guards at Foran and Law, who were being let go by Superintendent of schools Elizabeth Feser, were very upset. They now claim there is an outlandish conspiracy to specifically target them as punishment for forming a labor union.

We have heard this once before through the city attorneys office when Cynthia Anger was fired for allegedly forming a Labor Union. We later learned the truth that Cynthia Anger was not fired for forming a labor union, but was instead fired for insubordination. The kind of insubordination that denied our Mayor the right to be a deciding tie breaking vote on the P&Z board.

Kevin Lyddy was chastised for voting improperly, and Democrat Suzan Shaw won the chaimanship the legal way. This however, was not without a fight because in the 5-5 tie the Mayor demanded that he be given the legal authority to break the tie with His vote. Cythia called this illegal and it is alleged she lost her job over it. It is fair to assume that there was illegal activity because a settlement was reached that was very favorable to Ms. Anger. So we must be careful when we talk about such delicate issues as Union Busting in Milford and the propensity for our city leaders to demand our employees break the law. The law must never again be treated like a mere inconvenient platitude to be ignored.

Earlier this week I was contacted again by another upset individual who also expressed concern over union busting in Milford and was concerned and afraid that placing her name out there as the "whistle blower" would cost her her job. We have read about the back room deals that go on in town when it comes to high paying jobs, and we also know that there are a large number of Son's, Father's, Daughters, Sisters and Cousins working together in City Hall. Many of them got employed due to nepotism and politics rather than merit. The policy of helping ones family members might be in the rational interests of those families, but it undermines the authority, health and integrity of public service; of which is funded by the people who live in Milford.

My friend was forced to retract a great deal of information placed on the Internet because of fear. This happened during the time we were appointing the Energy Czar. This was another job like the Superintendents Job that was awarded to Jim Whittaker the head of a local Labor union in Milford. While Jim has no formal training in energy management conservation or abatement he was given the job for reasons that we can only speculate on. My contact who works for the city of Milford alleged that Whittaker sold out his union for a substantial pay increase. After hearing, again the concerns of the High School Security guards I have to wonder what are the odds of two similar Union busting stories coming at me in the same month.

This issue is potentially very divisive because the local labor union workers who now appear to be targeted are being treated like "Third class citizens" while the "elite" local rulers, break all the rules at the expense of the people who demand better from our leaders.

We must question the integrity of the entire system, we must ask why our Police chief should make over $180,000.00 a year, and our new unqualified Superintendent should receive Apx. $140,000.00. These grossly exaggerated salaries are at the expense of a couple of security guards who earn a sub-poverty salary of $22,000.00 a year. Where is the justice and how has corruption, greed and avarice gotten so out of control in our town. The greater tragedy is why, yet again, during this campaign season are we not hearing the candidates defend and prosecute these very immoral, corrupt, and selfish acts by the cruelty and evil that is nested so comfortably in the highest offices in Milford?

The only thing that I can assume is that we have Cowards running for Mayor this year. Last week my stomach was in knots as I heard yet again the elite leaders of our community speak to the local proletariat in terms of endearment.  To be crystal clear "I don't give a damn" how much you all "Love Milford" how we are "Going to get More for Less" or that you even "F*$#%G Grew up here!" I really really do not give a Damn!

This year I would like to see some real leadership addressing the corruption and injustice that per- mutate all levels of city hall. Starting with Corrupt hiring practices, and the rights of workers and taxpayers who are being fleeced and lied to about everything. We have Big Big issues to resolve and if the people of this city are so naive to elect our next Mayor based on terms of endearment than this city deserves all that it has coming to it.

My final thought is that you not only pass this along, but actually make some phone calls to both Bob Joy, and Ben Blake and insist that they condemn the people mentioned here for their criminal practices.

Since they are both well versed in the law they should have no problem finding what areas of the "Equal Opportunity Employment Act" or " Fair Labor Standards Act." Etc.. were violated.

But in case they forgot what they learned in Law School the below link is provided as a reminder.

http://employment.laws.com/

Rocco J. Frank Jr.

Milford school unions resist concessions

MILFORD -- Board of Education members have asked the school employee unions to agree to roll back their scheduled raises by 1 percent to avoid layoffs, but the unions likely won't agree.

Pending the unions' reaction, the board put off voting Tuesday night on budget cuts that could force layoffs of two teachers and five media aides, as well as eliminate four other positions to make up for nearly $935,000 cut from the 2009-10 education budget by the finance and aldermen boards. The education budget for new fiscal year now stands at $82.9 million.

Last month, the school board asked the six unions, which represent more than 1,100 school employees, to consider a 1 percent lower raise or a one-day unpaid furlough, but the 695-member teachers' union has stood firmly against concessions.

Board members said the arbitrated three-year Milford Education Association contract, which will expire in 2011, provides an average raise of about 4.9 percent when steps of seniority and education are combined.

In a letter to union leaders delivered Wednesday, board Chairman David Hourigan asked unions to respond to the proposed concession by June 4.

Before the board's Tuesday night meeting, MEA President Joan Mancini said there will be no concessions, even with layoffs looming.

"Our position is still that €¦ we went into binding arbitration and that contract needs to be respected," Mancini said.

Jim Whitaker, head of the 74-member custodians'

union, said his membership made concessions of about $160,000 in 2004-05 and probably won't make more this year. The average school custodian is paid about $40,000 and is scheduled for a 3 percent raise under the contract next year, he said.

Whitaker said he's suggested numerous cost-saving measures in building, maintenance and grounds operations, but nobody has listened. There's plenty of money available without employee concessions, it just needs to be spent wisely, he said.

"We do see where money is wasted every single day and we try to point it out, but the problem is you've got too many people with their own personal agendas that cost money," he said. "It's always the same story: 'The kids are going to suffer.' The problem is, nobody's watching how the money's being spent."

For example, Whitaker said, the school district bought a truck and plow about eight months ago for $35,000 and it sat in a parking lot so long the brakes froze. "Why should I give you more money out of my pocket so you can buy a truck to sit in the parking lot?" he wondered.

All of the city's employee unions -- except for police officers and police dispatchers -- have agreed to forgo raises next year in exchange for no layoffs.

"If the unions don't grant us concessions, then we will have to make cuts," Hourigan said. "It could mean that the proposed layoffs stand and maybe more."

Originally Printed at the CT Post online