BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Town of Tonawanda and its police union have come to an agreement to end a monthslong labor fight, the two sides said Friday.
The disagreement is in connection to the town accusing the union that represents officers engaging in a “ticket strike” last winter.
The town alleged that officers engaged in the ticket strike for 15 days and there was a significant slow down in tickets handed out during that period. Meanwhile, the Town of Tonawanda police club contended that officers responded to a 40% increase in calls during severe winter weather along with several officers temporarily unavailable due to mandatory training, which left fewer officers available to write tickets.
The town and Supervisor Joe Emminger fined 44 officers two hours of pay a day for each day they participated in the alleged strike. The 44 officers represent more than half of the town’s police force.
The town and the police club did not immediately reveal specifics as to what Friday’s agreement entails, but said that it “includes key provisions that support officer wellness, fair labor practices and enhanced community engagement, while also upholding the Town’s responsibility to public accountability.”
“Through open communication, good faith negotiations, and a focus on common goals,” the joint statement from the town and police union says, “we have reaffirmed our dedication to teamwork, transparency, and respect among our residents, Town Board and the brave men and women of our local law enforcement.”
Tonawanda Town Supervisor Joe Emminger is scheduled to appear on News 4 at 5:30 on Friday to discuss the agreement. This story will be updated.
Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
