Mangano 'optimistic' about union give-backs

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano won't provide specific timetables for achieving give-backs from the county's labor unions but remains "optimistic" about reaching agreements that would save millions of dollars in labor costs, an aide has told a state oversight board.

In a letter Friday that was obtained by Newsday, Deputy County Executive Tim Sullivan declined the Nassau Interim Finance Authority's request for more details about a timetable for negotiations and a target date for completion.

"This administration does not believe its efforts will be furthered by identifying in advance any specific target goals for each union, nor by articulating any artificial timetable for their achievement," Sullivan wrote.

But despite a top Nassau union leader's insistence that his members will make no further concessions this year, Sullivan said Mangano was "optimistic that agreements can be reached." Noting that "specific proposals have been exchanged" with each union, Sullivan said the administration believes that "substantial progress has been made in obtaining recognition from each union of the dire situation which the County could face in the absence of labor concessions."

Sullivan was responding to NIFA's demand for specific budget documentation showing that Mangano's $2.6 billion budget is balanced - including proof of $61 million in labor savings promised by the county executive. If the budget contains a 1 percent deficit, NIFA can take control of the county's finances and freeze union contracts.

NIFA gave Mangano a Jan. 20 deadline to provide the budget information. Besides union savings, it wants documentation of about $172 million in cuts and contingencies and details about $65 million in surplus claimed by Mangano, a Republican.

In his letter Friday to NIFA's accounting firm Grant Thornton, Sullivan said union leaders "have had little incentive" to give back because of media reports about the threat of a NIFA takeover.

Nonetheless, Sullivan wrote that the county executive "has been working virtually around the clock with the unions in an effort to identify and implement cost saving and reforms that will have real and immediate impact."

Mangano wants to achieve "structural reform" of the county's labor agreements, including reduction in paid sick days and revised "step" salary increases that come with years of service, Sullivan wrote. By comparison, NIFA can only freeze salaries, for a $10 million savings this year, not counting the agency's expenses, "which are borne by Nassau County taxpayers," he wrote.

Sullivan also said that if the $61 million in labor concessions are not realized, the budget has enough surpluses and contingencies to make up the difference.

Police Benevolent Association President James Carver, who for months declined to disclose the status of negotiations with Mangano, last week for the first time said his members had already made millions of dollars in concessions over the past three years and will not give back any more this year.

"I think my comment still stands," Carver said Friday, after learning about Sullivan's letter. "It would not be prudent for the PBA to enter into any labor savings unless NIFA approved the plan, which we believe NIFA has the authority to do."