Rensselaer County contract would keep services funded [Times Union, Albany, N.Y.]

Nov. 29--TROY ? Rensselaer County has reached a tentative two-year contract with its largest union Monday that will allow the county to fund programs through the end of 2012 that were set to be cut April 1.

"We're relieved we're going to be able to provide the services," County Executive Kathleen Jimino said.

The agreement if approved would provide about $1.4 million to Jimino's proposed 2012 budget of $312 million meaning 55 jobs would not be eliminated; allow the senior center in the city of Rensselaer to stay open; and stave off reductions to a variety of other county programs.

The United Public Service Employees Union and the county agreed to a proposed contract that will cut costs and provides a half-percent pay increase in 2012 and a half-percent raise in 2013. The contract also includes a no-layoff and no-outsourcing clause in the contract's first year.

UPSEU President Kevin Boyle said he anticipates the union membership will ratify the contract proposal by Dec. 20. Boyle said the contract reflects the difficult economic times and most importantly provides protections from layoffs and outsourcing. The union represents about 1,163 of 1,700 county employees.

The health insurance savings will allow the county to cover about $1.4 million in programs that were to be eliminated April 1 unless the state offered mandate relief.

County Legislature leaders welcomed the tentative pact but pointed out that the county still needs mandate relief.

"It's a good contract. It treats the employees fairly," County Legislature Chairman Martin Reid, R-Sand Lake, said.

Minority Leader Peter Ryan, D-Troy, described the agreement as good news. He said the minority Democrats would seek to restore county funding for the Troy Public Library when the budget is adopted Dec. 1.

At the budget hearing Monday, Mary Muller, president of the Troy Public Library trustees, urged the county legislators to provide funding for the city library.

Joseph O'Brien of Poestenkill asked the legislators not to raise taxes to fund the libraries or other programs.

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