Clifton Park has initiated a lawsuit against the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) following the town’s political shift from Republican to Democratic control. The suit, filed through an Article 75 proceeding, challenges a previous agreement signed by the Republican-majority board that granted specific bargaining unit protections to several department heads.
The town’s legal action specifically targets positions such as the comptroller, director of planning, parks and recreation director, and others, whom the Democratic administration argues are “exempt class positions” due to their managerial or confidential nature and policy-making roles. The lawsuit contends that including these individuals in the bargaining unit violates public policy and statutes.
This lawsuit stems from post-election tensions last November concerning the appointment of department heads. The new Democratic leadership sought input for appointed roles, prompting concerns from outgoing Republican officials like Supervisor Phil Barrett, who likened potential changes to threats against town employees. The Republican-controlled board had previously passed a resolution, in executive session, to reclassify these positions and grant them CSEA protections just before the election.