Press release from city Councilor Ken Cockayne:
In a statement released today by Republican City Councilman Ken Cockayne, the councilman thanked the Bristol teachers of their sacrifice in forgoing huge raises in their new contract and increasing there health care cost sharing.
“Our teachers, their union and the negotiating team for the Board of Education demonstrated their sensitivity by agreeing in these difficult economic times, to a minimal salary increase. Year one will have a 1.9% increase with no step advancement, year two 2.5% increase with half year step advancement and year three 2.5%. Local 1464 members also agreed to an increased cost sharing for health benefits, 12% effective July 1, 2009, 13% July 1, 2010 and 14% July 1, 2011. The prescription co-pays have also been increased.
A 3% salary increase, added to their current salary account in the Board of Education’s budget, would have cost tax payers nearly $2million. The Bristol tax payers can not afford to pay any more then they already are. On behalf on my constituents in the Second District, I want to say Thank You.,” Cockayne said
By contrast, the Mayor recently awarded the City Hall workers a 3% pay raise and for the first time, the City got the Union to accept a 4% cost share on their health benefits.
“While getting city hall employees to pay even 4% of their health benefits is a step in the right direction, it will do little to have any positive effect on the budget”, Cockayne said.
Cockayne added that if the GASB 45 issue is handled properly by the Mayor, the city unions can save the tax payers an additional $2 million, added to the savings the teacher’s contract yielded, that could save tax payers about a mill. “Wouldn’t that be a novel idea for City government”, Cockayne concluded.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
38 comments:
Go ahead Ken . Make everyone think you did all this! You always did like the limelight!
Thank you to the teachers' union. They get it. Now if only the rest of the big bad boogie unions can figure it out. Changes are coming. They are inevitable. Wouldn't it make more sense to be ahead of the curve like the teachers' union. Maybe that way you can control where concessions are made, instead of waiting on forced concessions like lay offs. Get the GASB 45 thing done. It will go a long way in earning us some good favor and it doesn't affect us at all.
Cockayne what are you doing? You shouldn't be bucking the system. You should be going alone with what ever Ward wants. How dear you think for your self. Do what every other Councilman does and go along with Ward! He needs to take care of his buddies!!
Too bad the BOE can't negotiate for the City! They seem to do a much better job than Ward! But then again, they weren't negotiating with there campaign treasure, right Ward!!
good try ken, wait until the public gets a hold of the whole truth and not just the political spin on the truth that you are attempting to weave.
Geez Cockayne, who do you think you're kidding?
First Kenny tries to bilk the city out of $300,000 for his COO-COO power play, and now he expects us to give him credit for the teachers' union pact? "Think for himself"....it's more like "thinking about himself." Nice try!
Great job Kenny...you should be the negotiator for the City. Clearly Ward will give away the City especially in an election year. Thanks for bringing this bi-partisan solution the teachers and the Bd of Ed have worked out to our attention. Maybe the other unions will follow suit. (NOT)!
Where can I send my check for the Cockayne for Mayor Committee?
Thank you to the teachers' union. They get it. Now if only the rest of the big bad boogie unions can figure it out. Changes are coming. They are inevitable. Wouldn't it make more sense to be ahead of the curve like the teachers' union. Maybe that way you can control where concessions are made, instead of waiting on forced concessions like lay offs. Get the GASB 45 thing done. It will go a long way in earning us some good favor and it doesn't affect us at all.
Surrender or we'll take it from you?
REALLY...really?
This is great! Ward must be so pissed that he can't control Cockayne!
Cockayne, keep up the good work. It's refreshing that you won't work behind closed doors like the "good old boy's"!
Watch out Cockayne, Ward might not talk to you! He might act like a little kid and pout!
good thinking cokecaine, I make less than 40 grand a year, get a $1000.00 year raise, have to take 4% co-pay out of that and I'm bleeding the city? bet your commissions and rates went up more than that.
nothing against anyone who gets a raise, teachers or anyone else, but stop using us as your guinea pigs.
if you were negotiating with us, we would be in arbitration which costs everyone extra cash. wake up jerk.
Ken Cockayne is clearly an asset to the citizens and tax payers of Bristol.
Thank you Ken Cockayne. Although I find the Bristol Republicans a repugnant organization, you have my support.
"Cockayne, keep up the good work. It's refreshing that you won't work behind closed doors like the "good old boy's"!
Gee, maybe he won't work "behind closed doors, but he's got no problem spinelessly slithering off behind the mayor's back, going straight to the media to criticize and insult him (sinking low enough to call the Vietnam vet a "coward"???) without actually taking the time to stop and discuss his concerns face-to-face. He was okay with pushing his COO down our throats to further his own agenda on the tax payers' dime, and now he's attempting to grandstand and take the credit for the teachers' union pact...and you think Ward is the one who acts like a kid???
I think a point of clarification is necessary here:
Ken Cockayne is NOT a negotiator for the City as far as I know. So, whatever praise is being given here should not be directed at Cockayne. He had nothing to do with this but is trying to take the credit with a press release. Let's give praise where praise is due, not to Cockayne.
Steve- Maybe you can do some reporting and verify my point. I believe I am accurate.
There is a City Council meeting tonight. Rest assured, I'll ask about this issue.
Oh My listen to all you whinny unionites! The tax payers finally won something and you guys are squealing like stuck pigs. Oink Oink!
Thanks to the smart guys at the Bd of Ed and the Teachers of Bristol...and THANKS to KEN COCKAYNE the guy who we need calling the shots!
All you cry babies can go work someplace else!!!
the key to all negotiations is "good faith" so don't ever expect cockcane to negotiate for anyone/anything other than himself - what a sleeze bag.
The real sleeze bags are the union leaders who demand pay raises in todays economy and the city negotiators who cave in. We know who they are.
Stop your complaining...the teachers did a good thing, everyone knows who negotiated the contracts.
I think it is interesting that the guy who didn't negotiate for the City, has keep his month shut, he is the same guy that gave away the City to Myra and her thugs. His name is Art Ward.
why can't cockaine state an opinion without having to drag someone else into the mix; no self esteem, self respect or self confidence in standing up and giving an opinion on the issue - the city made out on the teacher's contract but the city also lost - wimpy, whiny cockaine is still on the council - loser.
"whinny unionites!"
Nobody's whining about the teacher's pact...It's Ken "look at me" Cockayne's childish, attention seeking behavior that's making us groan.
Hello 4:00 Anonymous,
Smart move remaining so. If you can find the notation in Mr. Cockayne's release that even insinuates he is seeking 'praise' for this settlement, please point it out to me - I can not descipher the secret code he must be using to communicate with you.
This press release seems to be a dissemination of facts about the fiscal components of the agreement with the teacher's union and a commentary on it's differences from and superiority to, in Mr. Cockayne's view, the Municipal Employees' agreement negotiated recently.
He 'thanks' the Teachers first and foremost, and adds his thanks to their Union and the Board of Ed negotiating team. He also reiterated his thanks to them all on behalf of his 'constituents'. I can not find the 'Rocky' reference to any efforts of his own.
There is enough bad info that abounds. Please don't pull any more out of your hat to denigrate what seems to be a simple statement of facts and an expression of thanks. Save your efforts for something that deserves derision or an expression of displeasure. And be proud to speak your mind if you feel the need.
And what did you say your name was again?
Be well anyway, john cullen
It is clear that Ward did not want the facts to be known, because it makes what he "negotiated" look ridiculous.
But what did you expect?
Be careful Cockayne, Ken Johnson will be upset with you.
And we all know what happens when he loses his temper!
"I can not descipher the secret code he must be using to communicate with you."
No secret code necessary. Mr. Cockayne's huge ego and headline grabbing behavior isn't exactly a secret to anyone (except you obviously). I couldn't help notice that you only refuted Ken's latest attempt at grandstanding. There's no disagreement then about his less than noble behavior when he slunk straight to the media to proclaim the mayor a "coward" (without actually approaching Ward with his concerns face-to-face)....and you still need someone to decipher the secret code for you?
Hello 6:01,
Please do not take liberties with my statements here or anywhere else. If you want to make a statement, do so. If you have an opinion, express it if you wish. But do not spew whatever it is you so desire and contend that I agree with you about anything. I will speak for and as myself - I do not need any help from anyone who doesn't think highly enough of themselves to express their thoughts proudly and with conviction, meaning you. Let me know if and when you figure that out, and please keep your opinions to your self.
Thank you, john cullen
John Cullen:
I think the point is that Ken Cockayne had no role in negotiating the contract and he overstepped (again) his bounds by releasing the press release. It was up to the Mayor to do that but Ken clearly wanted the headline so he released early.
If this is just a settlement it would mean that both the Union and City Council need to approve the pact. It is not a done deal until both sides approve it.
Cockayne might have compromised the City' position by putting it out there before the union leadership could present it to the membership who will ultimately have to vote on it; otherwise it goes to arbitration.
Cockayne needs to engage his brain before his mouth.
I'm told the GASB 45 issue is already a dead issue. Its probably just not being reported yet. There were some legal issues and "must do's" for the city that didn't go over well with corp counsel. If the city moves money around, the unions win big and I'm told the timing right now is not good. I'm thinking it is true because no one is talking about it anymore.
With these statements Ken Cockayne simply shows that he appreciates fiscal restraint. Cockayne is conveying the correct message for any fiscal situation.
However, it's too bad he endorsed the wrong-headed land purchase at the end of Matthews Street for the wrong-headed idea of building a school there.
Not to be picky, but whoever wrote that press release needs a better editor...or a remedial lesson in spelling: "there" instead of "their", "then" instead of "than". "teacher's" instead of "teachers'." How ironic to have all these spelling errors in a press release about the city's teachers!
Who or what is John Cullin ? I never heard of him is he another Cockayne. "I love me type"
How nice that the teachers get more money they are already over paid, boo hoo they really need that raise while there are freezes for most everyone else.
Mr. Cullen said....
"If you have an opinion, express it if you wish"
"please keep your opinions to your self."
Huh?
It would appear that the only opinion Mr. C values is his own.
watched the council meeting on tv last night, didn't realize that it is "live" now instead of taped, but cockbrain seemed pretty subdued - was it because he was face to face with ward or anyone else that he would want to belittle and is saving his snide attacks for behind the scenes backstabbing, as has been the case all along?
at least we know how he operates now.
Hello Anonymous12-10-08 @ 7:27 AM
Very good pick up on my contradiction – must learn not to rush when posting, but wanted to get down to the City Council meeting so as not to miss a possible Ken Cockayne gloating session, or maybe a WWF scene between Mayor Ward and Councilman Cockayne.
My final sentence on the 12-09-08 6:55 PM posting should have read “…and please limit the opinions you express to your own.” My wording clearly did not convey this thought as I had intended, and for that I apologize. My thanks for pointing out the error, though I wish I didn’t have to express my appreciation to an anonymous entity – seems kind of shallow on my part…
Not really sure what “your own” actually means in this case. Is this individual referred to in my poorly worded entry-Anonymous 12-9-09 @ 6:01 PM - pretending to speak for all the anonymous? His/her quote, directed at me it seems, that “Mr. Cockayne's huge ego and headline grabbing behavior isn't exactly a secret to anyone (except you obviously)”, insinuates he/she surely thinks so. Just as he/she attempts to speak for me. Are the anonymous comfortable with that? Just curious. I’m not.
As for Anonymous12-9-08 @ 6:57, if expressing thanks for what appears to be a good settlement for the City taxpayers and citing the basic numbers in a communication with his constituents is likely to compromise the votes of either the City Council or the Union Membership on a pact that has been tentatively agreed to and endorsed by the negotiating teams, we have a very large problem. Much larger than the one you perceive to be embodied in Mr. Cockayne.
As for Anonymous 12-10-08 @ 5:42 – and your query “who or what is John Cullin?” – you gave me a good chuckle. When you wake up and remember who you are, let me know so I can thank you personally.
Be well, john cullen
And my personal thanks to the Teachers - I would personally prefer to invest money in them as opposed to primarily in facilities. This contract is, in my little regarded opinion, a hint as to why.
Jan, who is being "freezed"?
No body is that I know of.
Please educate me in this regard.
Golly Mr. Cullen, have you ever wondered why it is that so many people seem to respond negatively to you and your comments? Hmmmmmm....
"...but wanted to get down to the City Council meeting so as not to miss a possible Ken Cockayne gloating session"
....and you said he doesn't have an ego problem?
To John Cullen whoever you are ! Some of us have been taking lessons from the adolescents ie: Republicans on here. I have been taking it and if you can't find yourself another blog!
Post a Comment