There is little chance that a new contract between Otsego County and Local 8100 of the CSEA will be signed this year as negotiations move to the fact-finding stage.
The previous contract between the union and county expired at the end of 2006, and the two sides have negotiated sporadically since then.
Mediation failed to bring union and management together, and the state Public Employment Relations Board has appointed Sumner Shapiro to serve as fact-finder in the nearly two-year standoff.
Both sides said Monday they are compiling information for Shapiro, who is charged with analyzing their perspectives, then offering his nonbinding suggestions. According to Syracuse attorney John Corcoran, the county's negotiator, Shapiro should receive the briefs by the first week of December.
``We had a preliminary conference last month, and agreed to submit only the issues of health care and base salary to the fact-finder for his nonbinding recommendation,'' Corcoran said.
This is no surprise, he said. ``In most negotiations these days, things boil down to salaries and health insurance.'' Sometime in early 2009, Shapiro is expected to issue his report, and ``the underlying rationale is that the report should supply a basis for the parties to consider in their negotiations,'' Corcoran said.
Typically, after a report is issued, the sides hold one or more bargaining sessions, which may lead to a settlement.
If the parties don't settle, the Otsego County Board of Representatives would be able, through a power called ``legislative imposition,'' to set a contract for 2007.
``If the legislature were to act, that would close the books on 2007 and the parties could return to the bargaining table to negotiate a contract that would begin on Jan. 1, 2008,'' Corcoran said.
John Imperato, president of Local 8100, said Monday that he believes fact-finding may boost the workers' chances for financial relief.
``I think the fact-finder was surprised to learn that we are the lowest-paid county workers in the state,'' he said.
``Other places are settling for 3 percent a year, and that can be OK if you're already making a decent wage, but that's not the case in this county.''
Last year, the county proposed a five-year contract that offered a $300 bonus for 2007, and raises of 5 percent for 2008, 3 percent for 2009, 3 percent for 2010 and 3 percent for 2011. Union members overwhelmingly voted it down.
``In this county, we've had 20 years of Higginomics, and pay has not kept pace with the rest of the state,'' Imperato said, referring to the long tenure of former county board Chairman Carl Higgins, a fiscal conservative.
A year ago, Imperato said he was hopeful that a new county board, which took office Jan. 1, would prove more understanding than its predecessor.
On Monday, Imperato said the new board ``is worse than the last one. That's why we're at fact-finding.''
Last week, county board Chairman James Powers, R-Butternuts, said he understands that county workers want more money, but the board has to consider the situation of property taxpayers.
``We're in tough economic times. Many taxpayers are already struggling,'' Powers said. ``There is a limit to what people can pay, and the last thing they need is a tax hike.''
Serious fiscal problems at the state and federal level may well cost the county money as aid to counties declines but the need for services grows, he said.
Imperato said Monday that much of Otsego County's budget originates from state and federal sources, so any raise would not be borne solely by local property taxpayers.
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Tom Grace can be reached at tgrace@thedailystar.com or 847-9806.
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