TOWN OF NEWBURGH – Layoffs in the Town of Newburgh were handled without decency and professionalism, claim officials from CSEA, the union representing the majority of Town of Newburgh employees.

Five CSEA members were among those whose jobs were eliminated.

“We have been working hard to build a strong labor-management relationship, but the town completely blindsided us with the layoffs,” said CSEA Town of Newburgh Unit President William Healey. “We lost a lot of respect for our elected officials after witnessing the lack of professionalism that took place on June 26th when longtime workers were laid off with no notice and no decency. The town leadership should be ashamed of the way they handled this.”

The CSEA claims elected officials in the Town of Newburgh have used the town’s financial problems as an excuse for abolishing the jobs of two outspoken union activists according to a statement released by the union over the weekend. The union is preparing an improper practice charge that will be filed with the state Public Employees Relations Board. The basis of the charge is anti-union animus. The union is seeking to have those workers reinstated. Among those laid off was Katherine Otis, a 23-year town employee who was a former CSEA Town of Newburgh Unit president.

“Two of the CSEA members who lost their jobs last Friday happen to be longtime active, vocal members of their union,” said CSEA Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo. “It seems some of the town’s financial problems provided the Town Council with the perfect excuse to fire longtime employees who, at times, disagreed with them over union matters.”