STRANGE ‘UNION’
Andy, Bill agree: Don’t let gov’t workers strike
ALBANY – In a rare moment of political accord, Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio on Thursday both said they don't believe city and state workers should be able to go on strike.
The longtime foes were responding to a proposal this week by Cuomo Democratic primary challenger—and de Blasio friend—Cynthia Nixon to change the state Taylor Law that currently prohibits public sector workers from walking off the job or face heavy fines if they do.
“I have a lot of respect for Cynthia but I disagree with her on this,” de Blasio said. “I acknowledge and appreciate that she said there should be an exemption for first responders, but I don't agree with changing the Taylor Law.”
The mayor said “the Taylor Law serves an important public purpose and at the same time there are lots of ways for workers rights to be acknowledged and their voices to be heard. I think we have the right law now."
At a separate press conference, Cuomo said allowing government employees to strike could pose a risk to the public.
“The premise of the Taylor Law is you would have chaos if certain services were not provided,” said Cuomo, citing police, firefighters, and prison guards.
The current law also includes a provision that says the terms of an expired contract must stay in place while a new deal is reached — a legislative safeguard meant to keep critical services like the subways, police, firefighting, and schools operating even if negotiations drag on.
Nixon released a statement attacking Cuomo—but not de Blasio—on the issue. She said the governor had an antiunion record until he started focusing on his re-election effort.
“While Cuomo has done an election year about-face and started aggressively courting the support of union leaders, today's comments make clear that the governor remains anti-worker at heart,” Nixon said. “We should be standing alongside our brave teachers, not cracking down on them for fighting for fair pay and dignity and better education for their students.”
Most of the public employee unions have endorsed Cuomo this year.