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Hello. This is Pat Lynch, President of the New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association. On June 8th, between 60 and 70 thousand police officers, teachers, and firefighters sent a shock wave through City Hall at one of the largest labor rallies ever conducted in New York City’s history. Helicopter television coverage broadcast our strength in numbers as they panned their cameras from the southern tip of City Hall Park all the way past Federal Plaza to Worth Street and beyond. Our message that we need and deserve a fair contract was delivered in no uncertain terms, and I thank you for that. Now it is time for us to capitalize on the momentum established by this historic rally. The PBA, in partnership with other labor unions, is planning more events that will capture the attention of our elected leaders and draw the attention for a fair and decent contract for our members. You will be called upon over the next few months to participate in rallies and picketing for a fair contract. Be prepared to answer the call to fight for fair treatment for yourself and for your families. On the contract front Our first session with the city and the state appointed mediator was held on June 11th with no results. We will meet again on June 29th and, if no progress is made then, we will be one step closer to going to binding arbitration with PERB if necessary. On the Judge Blackburne issue in Queens Queens Supreme Court Judge Laura Blackburne was responsible for arranging for a suspect to avoid arrest when he appeared in her court room a few weeks ago. In our view this was a criminal action taken by the judge and is sufficient grounds for her removal from the bench. Following a joint news conference by the PBA and the DEA, the Office of Court Administrative Services had Judge Blackburne transferred to civil court from the criminal court bench. We believe that the reassignment is not enough and we continue to seek her removal as a judge. The PBA has filed a complaint regarding Judge Blackburne with the Commission on Judicial Conduct and they have since voted to take up the investigation. The PBA and DEA will continue to apply pressure until this clearly unfit judge is removed from the bench entirely. To view the media coverage of the June 8th rally, or the Judge Blackburne news conference, visit the PBA website. Thanks for calling the PBA hotline. |
June
22, 2004
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