PBA of New York State to Represent Agency Law Enforcement Officers
Friday, August 19, 2011Seeks Immediate Opportunity to Begin Negotiating with State Officials; Assembles Top Team to Handle Communications, Government Relations, and Legal Affairs The Police Benevolent Association of New York State (PBA of New York State) today was certified to represent the collective bargaining interests of law enforcement officers working as members of the University, Park, Environmental Conservation Police; and as Forest Rangers by the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). The 1,100 member Agency Law Enforcement Services (ALES) unit is now represented by the PBA of New York State following a successful challenged of the New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union, Council 82. “The campaign to declare independence was built around a simple notion, that for women and men of law enforcement serving in state agencies deserve to be represented by those who know their concerns, and the needs of their families,” Manuel M. Vilar, President of the PBA of New York State and a Park Police Sergeant based on Long Island said. “The PBA of New York State is fully prepared, clearly focused and proud to serve – the campaign is over, now it is time to get to work and our number one priority will be to seek an opportunity to participate in negotiations that for far too long languished, and failed to include the voice of our members. We look forward to working with Governor Cuomo and being a partner to deliver a fair and equitable contract for our members.” The ALES unit has been working without a contract since 2005. Robert Inman, Chief Administrative Officer of the union, and an Environmental Conservation Officer based in Pulaski said: “In my 30 years in law enforcement, I have never seen a group of officers, with multiple points-of-view and agency perspectives unite as a group in order to collectively fight for better the working conditions of all of our members.” In addition to Vilar, and Inman the officers and executive board includes: James McCartney, Treasurer and an University Police Officer based in Delhi; Adam Pickett, Vice President/Chief Financial Officer and a Forest Ranger based in Herkimer; Michael Mabee, Vice President/Chief Communication officer and an University Police Lieutenant based in Albany; and Bernard Rivers, Secretary and an Environmental Conservation Lieutenant based in New York City. The PBA of New York State today announced it has retained the services of Hinman Straub Advisors to provide government relations expertise; and Corning Place Consulting to support its strategic communications and media relations objectives. Based in Albany, the firms will work closely with the law offices of Gleason, Dunn, Walsh & O’Shea to provide an experienced and respected professional team with a reputation for integrity, achievement and effective client service.
