In a significant move, the Seneca Falls Town Board voted on Tuesday night to voluntarily recognize the Civil Service Employees Association as the official union for town employees. The decision, which passed with a majority vote after months of debate and turmoil, marks a new chapter in the town’s labor relations.
The recognition includes full-time and part-time employees but excludes managerial and confidential positions. A notice of the union recognition will be published for public review by January 13, with the official recognition set to begin after procedural steps are completed.
The discussion leading up to the vote touched on concerns about the union’s scope, with debate centering on whether certain positions, including zoning and building officers, should be classified as department heads and therefore excluded from the union. Councilman Frank Sinicropi supported the resolution, stating that any ambiguities could be addressed through negotiations with the union.
With the recognition of CSEA, town employees gain access to collective bargaining rights for wages, benefits, and working conditions. The board also noted that union negotiations would begin promptly once the recognition process is finalized.
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