Setren:  "... onus is on the management of this county"

MONTICELLO – The initial word from unions representing Sullivan County workers is that ‘givebacks’ are not something they are interested in. That immediately following County Manager David Fanslau’s presentation of a $191 million budget, for 2010, that eliminates 49 occupied positions, while still raising taxes by five percent.

“… We’re not going to go back,” said Adrian Huff, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 445, on Monday. “Any changes that are made to the contract need to be voted on by the membership.”

Local 445 Business Manager Lou Setren, addressing the County Legislature, Thursday, seemed just a bit more conciliatory, saying the union understands the critical financial pressure facing everyone from taxpayers to county workers and county officials.  Setren said the union is willing to talk, but you go first.

 “I don’t want anyone to have the impression that, at least Teamsters Local 445 in particular, is closing the door on any discussions as to means to close the budget gap,” he said. “However, as I have previously stated, it is our belief that the onus is on the management of this county to present proposals to the collective bargaining units, rather than vice versa.”

The County Legislature’s review of Fanslau’s budget is just beginning.  The legislature has scheduled two hours, next Tuesday morning, to meet individually with top department heads.

Besides the formal public hearings on the budget, at the county government center, December 10, at noon, and December 15, at 7 p.m., town hall sessions will be held on Tuesday, November 24 at Tusten Town Hall in Narrowsburg; on Tuesday, December 1 at the Liberty Senior Center in Liberty; and on Wednesday, December 2 at Mamakating Town Hall in Wurtsboro. All town hall sessions will begin at 7 p.m.