Dear COBA Members;

The Ratification Vote for the proposed contract agreement is tomorrow, Wednesday August 31st, 2022. As we approach this all important membership vote, the Union once again has to address complete falsehoods that are being spread about COBA's negotiating history with the County.

In the last several days a story has been spread claiming that in recent years the membership voted down a contract resulting in another offer that was better and voted in. This is 100% false. In 2009, the COBA Membership did vote down a contract extension offer by then County Executive Tom Suozzi. As a result of turning down that offer, and due to the County's horrible finances at the time, the County immediately notified COBA (ShOA at the time) that they had begun the process of abolishing the rank of Corporal in the Sheriff's Department along with several other cuts and redeployments all in an effort to save money. The union at that time demanded to renegotiate the contract in best efforts to secure a new deal, stop the cuts and the abolishment of the Corporal rank. We were successful in negotiating a new agreement that in fact contained minor changes that resulted in less money but secured the rank of Corporal and stopped the cuts.

That was the only time in at least 30 years that a contract was voted down.

For anyone to claim that a prior contract was voted down resulting in a better second offer/deal is completely false. Stating that as a fact is a complete disservice to the members of this Union.

Additionally, another claim being made is that the current proposal is the first offer we are being provided with. This is also completely false. This proposal is the 17th version of proposals that were negotiated over the past 3 years. All that were held to NIFA's formula restriction of 14.76% This through the reduction of this Dept due to Bail Reform, then Covid and through 2 separate County Administrations. To claim that this is the first offer is wrong and again a complete disservice to all COBA Members.

We fully understand the emotional reactions that occur when dealing with this County. There is a long history of fighting for every inch we get. All we can ask is that when you cast your ballot for this proposal, you are making that decision based on actual facts and not on information that is deliberately false for some reason or for an agenda that is not in the best interest of all Nassau County Correction Officers.

Sincerely,

Brian Sullivan, COBA President