Legislator Burke continues “Important Conversations” series with a second installment on Priest Abuse

Legislator Burke hosted the first conversation on Priest Abuse in early August. The first installment had two speakers, a former priest who had been abused as a child and another who is an advocate for the abused who has dedicated his life to finding justice for victimized children. This conversation allowed Burke and guests to identify actions that they and the community could take to address these crimes and protect victims and the community. The most important identified goal was demanding the passage of the Child Victims Act. Legislator Burke promptly created and began circulating a petition aimed at informing people of the Child Victims Act and pressuring lawmakers to pass the bill.

Since Legislator Burke’s August conversation on Priest Abuse, a report has been released showing evidence that Bishop Malone had knowingly placed a priest with a history of “grooming” children back into ministry. Upon reviewing the report, Burke called for the resignation of Bishop Malone. Shortly thereafter, other leaders joined the call; first, City Councilman Chris Scanlon, then Congressman Brian Higgins, and then Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul.

In response to Burke’s demand, the Bishop has refused to step down. His refusal is another example that leaders of the Catholic Church are more concerned with their image and their political future within the church, rather than helping those who have suffered because of the negligence.

With this second installment, Burke hopes to get significant public feedback and calls for reform as was achieved with the first. Trusting the Diocese of Buffalo to take proper action to right their wrongs is not a solution. These are not isolated mistakes, they are systematic and must be confronted. Legislator Burke is asking the residents, professionals, advocates and all other to come together as a community to identify the next steps this community can put into action.

Legislator Burke’s next “important Conversation” will be a second installment on the topic of Priest Abuse, taking place Tuesday September 18th at 12:00pm in the Legislative Chambers of Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street 4th floor.

Burke Calls on Bishop Malone to Step Down

Erie County Legislator Pat Burke, the first Catholic elected official in Western New York to speak out on the sexual crisis in the Buffalo Diocese, is calling on Buffalo Bishop Richard J. Malone to Resign in the wake of ongoing stories of abuse and cover-ups in Western New York

"I believe we have only scratched the surface of the problem," said Burke. "In just the past several months, the story has grown from reports of a few isolated incidents, to reports that the local diocese knew about this issue for decades and intentionally hid the truth from parishioners and the public at large. Their silence perpetuated sexual crimes against children. If any other organization were responsible for conspiring to hide pedophiles among its ranks, the public would demand the immediate resignation of anyone in leadership. The time has come for Bishop Malone to step down. Our community needs a full accounting of what happened here."

Pat Burke Calls on Bishop Malone to Cooperate with Sexual Abuse Investigations

Erie County Legislator Pat Burke, the first Catholic elected official in Western New York to speak out on the sexual abuse crisis in the Buffalo Diocese, is calling on Buffalo Bishop Richard J. Malone to fully cooperate with any investigations into alleged sexual misconduct by Catholic priests. Earlier today, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced that he is exploring the possibility of a joint investigation into these allegation with the New York State Attorney General's Office. 

"I want to thank District Attorney Flynn for taking these allegations seriously," said Legislator Burke. "Based on the recent investigation in Pennsylvania, it is clear there is a widespread problem throughout the church. Although a few brae individuals have come forward, a full investigation into the Buffalo Diocese is crucial." 

Burke has been at the forefront of this issue locally. He recently led a discussion on predator priests in legislature chambers and sent a letter to Bishop Malone last week asking that the details of the investigation of Fr. Dennis Riter, who was reinstated at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Dunkirk earlier this summer, only to be removed again after new allegations surfaced. Burke is also engaging the community with an online petition calling on the Buffalo Diocese to detail any allegation that have been made against priests in Western New York. 

"Catholics look to the church for comfort and guidance," noted Burke. "But members of our community have suffered unimaginable trauma, and anything less than complete transparency and a full public accounting of what has gone on in Western New York is unacceptable at this point."

Erie County Legislature Acts to Protect County Employees in Wake of Janus Decision

Members of the Democratic Caucus of the Erie County Legislature stood today with representatives from the Civil Service Employee Association, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the International Brotherhood of the Teamsters and other labor organizations to assert their support for unions, especially public sector unions, in the wake of the US Supreme Court Janus ruling. The legislators also discussed the risks to County employees who elect to resign their membership in a public union, as well as the steps the Erie County Legislature just took to prevent political groups from obtaining county workers’ personal information.

On June 27, 2018, a closely divided Supreme Court overruled 41 years of precedent and found that public sector employees who are represented by a union, but who wish to not be a union member and are paying agency fees, are no longer required to pay such fees to the union, but that the union must nonetheless represent such non-members in most instances, thereby creating what have been called “free riders.”

Anticipating such a decision, nationally-funded outside anti-union interest groups have mounted campaigns to encourage unionized public employees around the country to resign their membership and become free riders. In New York, teachers received emails from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative public policy institute associated with U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos encouraging them to resign their membership in the union.

To avoid exposing Erie County employees to such campaigns, the Legislature passed a bipartisan resolution submitted by the Democratic majority in an 8-3 vote at its legislative session on July 12.  That resolution that would bar groups from obtaining county employees’ personal information, including, but not limited to, employee home addresses, personal email addresses, and personal telephone numbers, unless compelled to do so by lawful service of subpoena, or otherwise required by court or law. The resolution does not apply to employee organizations as defined by Article 14 of NY Civil Service Law.

The resolution noted that the Erie County Legislature wishes to avoid having such divisive campaigns launched upon the employees of Erie County government, which has a long and productive history of positive and mutually-beneficial labor-management relations that has served the community well.

“We are not going to allow the hard-working employees of Erie County to be tossed around like footballs between rival political teams,” said Erie County Legislator John Bruso. “This resolution will help protect their privacy and avoid a needless politicization of the county workforce due to outside partisan groups.”

On April 12, 2018, in expectation of a Janus ruling against unions, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law an amendment to the Taylor Law. The amendment requires public sector unions not to provide representation to public employees who choose not to be a member of a union and who decline to pay union membership dues.

“Public employees should understand the risks they are assuming in order to save a few dollars,” said Erie County Legislature Majority Leader April N. M. Baskin. “While public sector employees are entitled to make their own decisions, ending union membership can leave them vulnerable to a loss of union representation in situations such as grievances, arbitrations, discipline or discharge. I urge them to weigh the costs and consequences.”

“It is very difficult to negotiate successfully when there are people in the organization who are not participating, and are allowed to stand outside and reap the benefits,” said Richard Lipsitz, Jr., President of the Area Labor Federation. “I thank the members of the Democratic Caucus for taking the initiative to pass this resolution and encourage other municipalities to follow their lead."

“There is a clear correlation between the decline in union membership and the decline of the American middle class,” said Erie County Legislator Pat Burke. “Stagnant wages, job insecurity and the erosion of our quality of life can all be traced back to the sustained attack on labor that the right has been engaged in for almost forty years. I am proud to stand with the hard-working men and women in organized labor and pledge that no taxpayer dollars will be used to fund efforts to encourage employees of Erie County to resign their membership.”

Certified copies of the resolution were transmitted to the County Executive, Commissioners of Personnel and Labor Relations, and to the presidents of CSEA Local 800, AFSCME Local 1095, NYSNA, Teamsters Local 264, Sheriff PBA, CSEA Correctional Unit, and the Librarians Association.

Poloncarz Signs Amendment To Erie County Apprenticeship Law To Eliminate A Loophole Which Weakened Original Law

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined today by Erie County Legislators, President of the WNY AFL-CIO John Mudie, and local laborers to sign into law an amendment to Erie County Local Law No. 2-2006 entitled the “Erie County Workforce Development and Diversification New York State Certified Worker Training Program,” an apprenticeship law that required construction contractors with the county to have a NYS Certified Worker Training Program in place. Such programs provide valuable education and career training in skilled jobs to the local workforce and also reduce reliance on out-of-area labor for construction projects, allowing the county to reinvest taxpayer dollars in local projects using a local workforce, and keeping those tax dollars in the local community.

Since passage of the original law in 2006 it has since been determined some, but not all, contractors and subcontractors to Erie County construction contracts are taking advantage of a loophole in the original law to not have in place New York State Certified Worker Training programs that actually graduate apprentices from such programs. By signing this newly enacted amendment to the original law, and thereby closing the loophole, Erie County is standing behind the apprenticeship program’s goal of creating a well trained workforce that can earn a living wage and the contractors that administer these programs.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, “This local law keeps our county tax dollars working right here in Erie County, investing in county construction projects as well as in our workforce. Contractors with the county must have NYS Certified Worker Training Programs that actually graduate workers as apprentices, thereby providing local workers with the education and skills training they need to succeed in construction trades now and in the future, while at the same time lessening the need for out-of-area workers on these jobs as local workers gain new skills. It’s a win-win-win as we build our infrastructure, enhance and diversify our workforce, and keep our local tax dollars working in Erie County.”

The new law was sponsored by Legislators Patrick Burke (7th District), April Baskin (2nd District), and John Bruso (8th District) and passed the Legislature by a 6-5 vote.

“The Apprenticeship law is a good way to invest in our workforce while we also invest in our infrastructure, opening up employment opportunities for more local workers on county-funded construction,” said Legislator Patrick Burke (7th District). “As the county already invests millions of dollars in construction projects annually, it makes great sense to leverage that funding and increase its benefits to our community through work with contractors who are rebuilding our workforce for the future while rebuilding our community today.”

“Apprenticeships are an excellent way to train our future workforce in the jobs that build our communities,” said President of the WNY Area Labor Federation Richard Lipsitz. “These programs produce workers with skills in good-paying jobs that are in demand right here in Erie County, making our county stronger today and into the future.”

Under the new law, construction vendors on Erie County projects in excess of $250,000 will maintain a NYS-registered and -regulated apprenticeship program that includes workforce development and diversification goals to ensure that contractors are working toward a minority workforce goal of 30% minority and female participation. The law also mandates that a minimum of 10% of the total construction workers, trades people, trainees, journeymen and apprentices employed at any given time on such a project must consist of people participating in a NYS Certified Worker Training program, and that these programs must be specific to the type and scope of work which is being performed and must have a graduation rate of at least 30%. Under the 2006 Local Law, graduation rates were not required, and some contractors were skirting the law by having a New York State Certified Worker Training Program but graduating no persons from the program, thereby defeating the purpose and intent of the original law. With the signing of the amendment by County Executive Poloncarz, this loophole is now closed and the original intent of the 2006 law is preserved.

The law will take effect 30 days after filing with the Secretary of State. Click here for a copy of the law.

County Executive Mark Poloncarz Endorses Pat Burke for Assembly

Buffalo, NY – Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced his support and endorsement of Democratic candidate Patrick Burke (D- South Buffalo) to represent the 142nd Assembly district in New York. County Executive Poloncarz noted Burke’s leadership and ability to work across the aisle in the Erie County Legislature as chief among the reasons behind his endorsement.

“Pat Burke has been a leading voice in the Erie County Legislature, working to protect our residents and build a better Erie County,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Pat brings people into discussions and builds consensus, showing that government works best when all have a voice.  He has served the people of the 7th Legislative District well and I know he will bring the same commitment to the 142nd Assembly district.”

Poloncarz also cited Burke’s work on the county’s microbead ban, an initiative which passed the legislature unanimously and became a model for national action, and his unwavering support of local labor and business as further reasons to support the endorsed Democrat in the Assembly contest.

Poloncarz added, “Pat has been an ardent advocate for environmental protections and protection of green space at the county level and will bring that focus to the state level, working with our local delegation to secure funding for infrastructure projects to ensure that families have access to clean water for generations. His support for local business, local labor and middle-class families is just as strong and evident in measures like his ‘Invest in Erie’ bill to promote local business. I support Pat Burke for Assembly because he cares about his community and works hard for them.”

Burke is running in a Special Election for New York State Assembly on Tuesday, April 24.

Pat Burke Earns Support of Nearly Every WNY Labor Group

Assembly candidate Patrick Burke (D/WFP/ REF-Buffalo) has received strong support from major labor unions across Western New York, including those representing workers in the construction, health care, and education sectors. Burke has received these endorsements in response to his vision for economic growth for the region as well as his experience standing on the picket line with the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers when they were on strike. Burke has written letters to the CEOs of major corporations on behalf of workers fighting for a better deal for themselves and their families. Most notable, he drafted legislation entitled the “Invest in Erie, Invest in America Act” a bill that would promote businesses right here in Erie County.

“At a time when union membership has reached an all-time low, it is clear that the all-out assault to break up, water down, and attack unions is not going away anytime soon. I understand how important organized labor is to not only the growth of the America middle but also our democracy. If elected to the New York State Assembly I will continue to fight on behalf of workers as I have done in my tenure as an Erie County Legislator” Burke said.  

Burke will fight for proposals like his “Invest in Erie” that will promote and encourage local businesses in Western New York, as well as American businesses to help create jobs for middle class families. Additionally, Burke will advocate to expand training programs in high-growth industries to compete in a 21st century economy and help job seekers have the skillset needed to enter workforce.  He will also build on his efforts to combat the zombie homes crisis by forcing banks to take responsibility and providing much needed relief for families with high property taxes.

“Pat doesn't wait for a problem to occur to pick up the phone,” said John J Mudie President of Communications Workers of America Local 1122. “He has been proactive in his outreach and has the courage to stand up for working people in Western New York.  Burke is knowledgeable of the issues and challenges families face daily. We are confident in Pats ability to represent all of his constituents."

Burke wants to further strengthen the local economy by investing in infrastructure, including improving water quality for residents, creating job-training programs, providing teachers with the resources they need in the classroom and bringing more high-tech manufacturing jobs to the region.

“We are standing with Pat because he has a record of standing with teachers and labor,” said Joe Cantafio President of the West Seneca Teacher Association and member of NYSUT Board of Directors. “We need a proven fighter in Albany to stand up to those that want to take opportunities away from our students and deprive teachers of the resources they need to teach ALL students. With the attacks on the working people and public education, we need someone who has stood with us from the beginning, not just when asking for our votes. There is simply too much at stake.”

The unions endorsing Burke include: 1199 SEIU, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Buffalo Teachers Federation, CSEA, CWA, NYSUT, PEF, West Seneca Teachers Association, UAW Region 9, UFCW, United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Building and Construction Trades Council of Buffalo New York and Vicinity, United University Professionals, Boilermakers Local Lodge No. 7, and Plasterers Local 9.