Union rejects Cuomo's pay freeze proposal

The first labor contract proposal with a pay freeze negotiated with the Cuomo administration has been rejected by the union's members.

Council 82 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees rejected the proposal by a margin of more than 2-to-1.

In April, the union's leaders tentatively agreed to pay freezes, elimination of automatic "step" increases in pay for years of service, and agreed to greater contributions to health care.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo had hoped the tentative deal with 1,000 police officers would pave the way for pay freezes and other concessions by larger unions now in negotiations.

But Council 82 also faces a challenge by a group of members called the Police Benevolent Association of New York State who hope to lead the union members.