OP-Ed By Neil Pellone Westchester COBA President
As the president of a labor union representing over 700 dedicated men and women, I have seen firsthand how the promise of pattern bargaining has been twisted into a one-way tool that municipalities use to undermine labor organizations and dismantle collective bargaining agreements.Pattern bargaining, in theory, is meant to establish a standard of fairness. It’s intended to create a benchmark for wages and working conditions that can be applied across similar sectors, ensuring that workers are treated equitably.
However, in practice, we have found that these “patterns” are only embraced by management when they serve their interests, not ours. Municipalities across the country have adopted a strategic approach to pattern bargaining that is fundamentally unbalanced. When management perceives that a pattern will benefit them, such as setting a precedent for lower wage increases or reduced benefits, they invoke it as an ironclad rule. They point to other agreements and insist that our members must accept the same terms, claiming it is only fair to maintain consistency.
Yet, when the pattern would favor workers-such as when a neighboring municipality negotiates better wages, enhanced benefits, or improved working conditions-suddenly, the pattern is dismissed. Management argues that each situation is unique, that budgets are strained, or that other factors prevent them from matching those tenns. The inconsistency is glaring and deeply frustrating for those ofus fighting for fair treatment.
This selective adherence to pattern bargaining is a clear tactic to weaken unions. By setting lower standards and refusing to acknowledge higher benchmarks, municipalities are effectively using pattern bargaining as a weapon against labor organizations. It erodes our collective strength and undermines our ability to negotiate better conditions for our members. Pattern bargaining should be a tool for equity, not an excuse for austerity. It should ensure that workers in different municipalities receive comparable treatment, not serve as a mechanism for driving down standards. Our members are the backbone of our communities. They deserve contracts that reflect their hard work and dedication, not the bare minimum that can be justified by cherry-picking patterns that favor management.
We call on municipalities to honor the true spirit of pattern bargaining. If they are genuinely committed to fairness, they must apply patterns consistently, recognizing improvements in other agreements and working with us to elevate standards across the board. Only then can pattern bargaining be a force for good, rather than a one-way tool of oppression.
