Union relations are deteriorating in Nassau, Hempstead

Animosity is growing between union and elected officials in Nassau.

In the county, its about contract negotiations. Nassau unions are into their third year without a new contract, and without cost of living raises, while the number of county workers declines.

In Hempstead Town, its about politics. Democratic supervisor Laura Gillen is being challenged by Republican Tax Receiver Don Clavin in a town that elected Gillen as its first Democratic supervisor in a century two years ago.


Jerry Laricchuita, president of Nassau's Civil Service Employees Association, took aim Monday at County Executive Laura Curran's chief deputy Helena Williams, accusing her of making decisions that has left the county without enough workers to provide the services needed.


For months, both Republicans and Democrats have said privately that Curran, a Democrat,  seems to leave all decisions to Williams, a deputy for former Democratic County Executive Thomas Suozzi and former head of the Long Island Railroad.

Laricchuita said it publicly to county lawmakers meeting in Mineola.

Because of the shrinking workforce, Laricchiuta said the county had only 10 ambulances instead of 20 available last Friday; he said there is only one mosquito control technician in Nassau compared to 15 in the past; he said the 911 center is understaffed and its operators under-trained; he said there are 110 snow plow routes and only 72 drivers; and, he said, sex offenders are not monitored during the evening, on weekends and on holidays because of a lack of probation officers.

"This is coming from Helena Williams," Laricchuitta said. "Our chief deputy county executive. Why is everyone afraid to mention this lady’s name? What’s going on? She’s running this county, not Laura Curran. It's Helena Williams."

He said teenagers at the recent Oceanside stabbing called 911 but were put on hold and the calls dropped.

"Is that the kind of county we want to live in?" Laricchuitta demanded? "The most dangerous county in America where if you call 911 you get put on hold and you can’t get police assistance. Not because of our operators or because of the cops, but because Helena Williams will not release the funding to hire them. There I said her name again. I’m going to keep saying it."

He added, "Its not the unions. We’re not your enemies. We’re your neighbors. We’re your employees. We’re trying to do the best job we can with the worst work force numbers ever."

Meanwhile, in Hempstead, Gillen sent a letter to employees last week, complaining about the town CSEA.

"Over the last few months, a number of things have been said by CSEA 880 Union leadership that are simply not true. I write to you to set the record straight," she wrote.

In the letter, Gillen said her office had been reviewing the issue of employees working out of title, but accused the union leadership of preferring to talk on social media rather than meeting to discuss it. She said her past talks with the union had been positive but that changed when the leadership changed. She also said her efforts to upgrade the town's technology systems will benefit employees, not hurt them.

Gillen added, "I have great respect and care deeply for the workers of this town. The job you do means so much to me and our residents. Its a shame that the current union leadership would rather play politics instead of getting results for you, the hardworking members."

Not surprisingly, CSEA 880 president Theresa Kohuta had given a different message to members on the union website, saying she wanted to take the union in a new direction "with fresh ideas in a way that will demand respect for our workforce."

Kohuta noted, "Out of title work has been a tremendous issue here in the Town. As we are at our lowest staffing levels in many years, the problem is getting worse and we can not let this continue. While this will not be an easy or quick fix, I am committed to moving us in a direction where you are correctly compensated for the job you are assigned."