What’s A Good Union?
NEW YORK NIGHTS
Patrick Lynch wants us to believe that anyone who criticizes police unions doesn’t value law enforcement (“Police Unions Protect Us All”, 6/21/20). That’s absurd…and lazy thinking. Police unions are indispensable.
Yet, in Buffalo, policemen shoved and injured a 75 year old peaceful protester, blocked attempts to help him and were suspended, pending an investigation. In response, their colleagues cheered them and resigned en masse to show support. Support for what, exactly? In NYC, Mr. Lynch rails that making police disciplinary records public means all law enforcement is now “under assault”! Hardly.
Let’s look at behavior, Patrick! When a teachers’ union protects the job of someone who has abused kids, or a PBA defends a police officer who used excessive violence, those unions lose much needed credibility and support. This gives all unions a bad name, and allows some management to divide and conquer. The role of every union is to fight for fair pay and benefits, while ensuring the provision of due process…but it’s not to support some members’ awful behavior.
A good union should help members out…or help members OUT!
| Year | Letters | Published | Avg. | Avg. Wait Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | 3.0 |
| 2011 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | 5.0 |
| 2012 | 2 | 2 | 1.000 | 5.5 |
| 2013 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | 2.0 |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | 3.0 |
| 2017 | 8 | 7 | .875 | 5.9 |
| 2018 | 8 | 7 | .875 | 5.1 |
| 2019 | 12 | 11 | .917 | 5.5 |
| 2020 | 16 | 10 | .625 | 7.1 |
| 2021 | 13 | 10 | .769 | 4.3 |
| 2022 | 13 | 11 | .846 | 2.0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 12 | .923 | 2.5 |
| 2024 | 26 | 13 | .500 | 3.4 |
| 2025 | 48 | 31 | .646 | 3.5 |
| 2026 | 56 | 33 | .589 | 4.2 |
| Career | 219 | 151 | .689 | 4.1 |
3 more needed for induction.