A model public union contract

There's a bit more good news out of Albany.

A small union representing SUNY police, park police, forest rangers and others reached what we can only hope is a pace-setting contract with state officials recently, agreeing to a wage freeze, higher employee contributions toward health care and the elimination of automatic "step" increases.

The agreement with the 1,160-member Council 82 was not cost-free for the state, which will pay $48 million for retroactive increases (the union has been without a contract since 2005; the payment settles arbitration).

But it's a victory nonetheless for the cost-cutting Cuomo administration, which is now in negotiations with the vastly larger Civil Service Employees Association, the Public Employees Federation and other unions.

The governor has said that if they agree to a similar deal, it could save the state $450 million and avoid 9,800 layoffs -- cuts that would be painful for workers and citizens alike. We're rooting for the unions to come around.

Public employees in New York deserve fair compensation. They aren't fat cats, and it would be great if they -- and every other working stiff in this state -- could enjoy medical coverage without paying, not to mention regular raises, ample time off and attractive pension plans.

But times are tough. State spending has been out of control for years -- in part because, in the legislature as at the bargaining table, government unions have had their way. It's time for everyone to adjust to a new reality. hN