A costly new deal struck with the Erie County executive, Erie County sheriff and unions representing employees at the two county jails is expected to be a game-changer for the recruitment and retention of jail deputies, where excessive overtime has been an ongoing concern.
It’s going to cost the county more than $12 million in retroactive pension costs, and nearly $2 million a year going forward, assuming the Erie County Legislature approves the deal.
But county officials say the short staffing and forced overtime situation needs a more permanent solution. Aside from pension changes, the county has also lowered the hiring bar by relaxing civil service testing requirements and received some concessions that county officials say should mitigate costs going forward.
“This agreement was negotiated in good faith by all parties and is not only a strong agreement for the affected employees that realizes a long-sought goal of a 25-year retirement plan but is also a prudently budgeted move that is cognizant of the fiscal realities faced by Erie County,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz.
The funding and staffing of the county Holding Center and Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden is often controversial, with high personnel costs and climbing overtime expenses despite a declining number of inmates. But state-mandated staffing requirements, as well as the inefficient layout of the aging jails has led to more mandatory shifts in need of filling than people willing to fill them, said Sheriff John Garcia.
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