The union representing Onondaga County employees is pushing back against the county’s proposed 2022 budget plan.
CSEA Local 834 Union President Dan Vadala said County Executive Ryan McMahon’s plan — which includes an $85 million aquarium in downtown Syracuse — doesn’t help workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While thinking it’s a good idea, the president said the money could be used to help bring back jobs lost during the pandemic.
He said between layoffs, furloughs, and retirement incentives, the county lost around 400 workers.
“Let’s backfill those positions back to where they were prior to the pandemic,” Vadala said. “You have money now, you have a surplus, and I think in order to serve our community better, you have to hire staff to prove those services. We’re public servants. We serve the public, we serve the community. Let’s get employees in there to serve the public.”
When asked about who would staff the aqarium if it’s built, he says he would rather it be run by county employees than by a private company.
