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The Ulster County Legislature has chosen not to override a veto by County Executive Jen Metzger concerning an amendment to the 2025 budget. Earlier this week, Metzger vetoed a proposal that would have granted pay raises to 64 Department of Public Works employees. The amendment, which was initially bipartisan, aimed to provide a $5.70 per hour raise to these workers starting January 1.
Metzger argued that the amendment violated New York State's Public Employees Fair Employment Act, also known as the Taylor Law, which protects union rights to organize and collectively bargain. She stated that the legislature's action put the county in legal jeopardy and infringed on her authority to negotiate fair contracts for all employees. Metzger emphasized that the amendment undermined ongoing contract negotiations with the county's unions, which represent over 1,000 employees.
Republicans criticized Metzger for denying the pay raises, but she defended her decision, stating that the legislature acted illegally by unilaterally adding the raises without consulting the union or county officials. Metzger's veto was supported by a letter from the Chair of the Legislature and a majority of its members, acknowledging the legal and fiscal consequences of the amendment.
According to Ulster County's official statement, the veto ensures that all union employees receive a fair deal through good-faith negotiations. The legislature's decision not to challenge the veto reflects a recognition of the importance of adhering to legal processes in labor negotiations.