Public Employee Press

Court removes roadblock to civilianization

By JANE LaTOUR

A January New York State Supreme Court decision upheld the union’s position that the Patrolmen’s and Sergeants’ benevolent associations had no standing to challenge the 2004 arbitration decision that civilians should replace uniformed officers at desk jobs in the Police Dept.

In dismissing the motions of the PBA and the SBA, the judge said that while their arguments “initially appear seductively appealing, upon further analysis, they lack merit.”

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts and Local 1549 immediately made plans to follow up on this decision. “I’m thrilled by the news,” she said. “There’s no more question about who should do the work. All we need now is implementation.”

The ruling by Justice Michael Stallman also confirmed the arbiter’s award, allowing DC 37 to enforce the award through the courts if the city refuses to carry it out. Mary O’Connell, DC 37’s associate general counsel, handled the case.

Local 1549 President Eddie Rodriguez pointed out the benefits the city would reap by implementing the decision. “This provides an enormous savings for the city. The use of civilian workers to replace 3,500 cops in desk jobs could save the city as much as $100 million per year. At the same time, it would help to improve public safety,” he noted.

“I hope this order from the court means that the Police Department will immediately implement this award on a case that has already taken too long,” said Clerical Division Director Ronnie Harris.

Alvin Carter, Local 1549’s chapter chair for Police Administrative Aides and Senior PAAs, expressed cautious optimism. “As the spokesman for the people, some of whom have 30 years with the NYPD, this decision is like hitting a grand slam! We know the process is long and drawn out. But the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter,” he said.

Roberts has scheduled a meeting with Labor Relations Commissioner James F. Hanley to work out the details. “We’ve waited a long time and we’ve been very patient,” she said. “Now we have to work out the implementation in an orderly fashion. The law is on our side.”

“The legal victory is great,” said Local 1549 2nd Vice President Ralph Palladino. “Now our membership needs to be part of our public advocacy campaign to ensure that the city follows through on this ruling.”