Jan. 26, 2017

Contact: Jane Lerner, Director of Strategic Communications
Office of the County Executive (845) 638-5645

Rockland County Executive stands behind agreement with Sheriff Deputy's union

NEW CITY, NY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day today submitted two resolutions to the Legislature to ratify and fund an agreement with sheriff deputies who have been working without a contract for more than six years.

The County Executive is also requesting a special meeting of the Legislature before Feb. 3 to meet the contract deadline

Both the county and the sheriff deputy's union had agreed to the terms after lengthy negotiations.

"I want to make it clear that I am standing 100 percent behind the sheriff deputies and the agreement we shook hands on," the County Executive said. "I thank Charlie Lowther, president of the union and the board for their cooperation and support."

The contract expired years before Day took office. His administration negotiated in good faith with the union to arrive at a fair settlement.

"These law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect Rockland," said Day. "It is inexcusable to involve their livelihoods in petty political posturing."

The county attorney has determined that the resolution addressing the sheriff's contract passed by the Legislature last week is invalid because the version voted on was not the same as the version presented to the county executive for his approval.

The resolution delivered today to the Legislature outlines valid and fiscally prudent funding for the agreement.

The resolution voted on last week by the Legislature relied on inaccurate funding sources and would have created a $500,000 budget deficit.

The contract covers 2011-2016. It calls for a one and half percent retroactive increase per year.