SENATOR GOLDEN CRITICIZES ARBITRATOR’S DRAFT DECISION IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH NYC’S PBA

Brooklyn – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), the Chair of New York State Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee and a former New York City Police Officer, today has issued the following statement strongly criticizing the draft decision by arbitrator Howard Edelman regarding the pending contract for New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association:

“It is regrettable that New Yorkers have been witness to the loss of four police officers in less than one year. In answering the call to serve, countless men and women in blue put their lives at risk each and every day, and for that, we can never pay them enough.

The draft plan for a 1% increase over two years is insulting and well below the rate of inflation in our region. If approved, this contract undoubtedly will fail to recognize the true sacrifice of our police officers, and along with a number of reforms, this will further damage the morale of those who protect us.

This draft contract is a major setback for law enforcement in our City, hurting those currently on the job, while at the same time deterring folks to join and serve the NYPD. There is no justifiable reason that this contract should be so disproportionate from the contracts that have been enacted for the other uniformed service unions.”