Op-Ed: Union Calls on Day to Curb 'Rogue Appointees'

From the Rockland County CSEA:

CSEA union leaders called on Rockland County Executive Ed Day to rein in a group of rogue appointees in his administration that have created a climate of fear in the county workforce.

“We’ve seen a pattern emerge of high-level appointees using a management style of fear and intimidation, and this is something that deeply concerns us,” said CSEA Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo. “There is nothing to be gained by using this dictatorial management style in place of the collaborative, respectful work environment our members and all workers deserve. What we’ve seen emerge is a blatant attack on public workers. As a union, we will continue to speak out against these practices until we see a positive change.”

The most recent example is an e-mail directive sent earlier this week to a group of county Finance Department workers whose jobs were restored in the 2016 budget, ordering them to attend a meeting with Day. Such a practice in county government is highly unorthodox. The e-mail from Deputy Budget Director Steven Grogan, which was hostile in tone, noted that attendance was mandatory but did not provide the reason for the meeting. Day later agreed with union representatives that the e-mail content was inappropriate and should not have been sent. Despite that admission from Day, Deputy County Executive Guillermo Rosa later contacted the Finance Department workers that same day with a directive to attend another mandatory meeting, mirroring Grogan by providing no info about the meeting nor contacting CSEA representatives to accompany workers.

Riccaldo noted the importance of all parties respecting the checks and balances that exist between Day and county legislators. Now that the 2016 budget is finalized, Riccaldo said it’s time for all to move on from the rancor that accompanied that process and give fair treatment to those workers whose jobs were restored.

“It’s troubling to me that, even after legislators affirmed the importance of our county security force, these workers in addition to our members in Finance are being intimidated about their future in county government,” Riccaldo said. “With the budget process wrapped up, people should not have to work in a hostile climate. We’re calling on County Executive Day have his appointees to clean up their management style, or replace them with individuals capable of operating in the professional and respectful manner needed in every workplace.”

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