(ALBANY, NY) Senator Dale M. Volker (R-C-I, Depew) today announced that the New York State Senate today passed legislation (S.6680) that would allow the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Transit Police to be eligible for binding arbitration in the event of an impasse in contract negotiation occurs.
"NFTA police personnel put their lives on the line everyday in order to save lives when an emergency situation arises" said Senator Dale M. Volker. "They are the only transit authority in the entire State of New York that does not have binding arbitration. This legislation has been long overdue, and I am pleased that the State Senate, working in a collaboration with the State Assembly, continue to work together to do the right thing for these employees of the NFTA."
Current law provides for binding arbitration for police officers of counties, cities, towns and villages. The law does not apply to police departments and officers employed by public authorities.
The NFTA Transit Police are engaged in criminal law enforcement activities in connection with the NFTA. This can be a dangerous and high risk activity. The need to ensure labor harmony and prevent unlawful work stoppages due to a breakdown in the collective bargaining process demands that binding arbitration be made available to this agency as well.
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