Connard HR Consulting Founder, Brayton Connard, SPHR What – retain Connard HR Consulting in a professional services agreement for Town of Webster labor contract negotiations, not to exceed $35,000 per year. Why choose outside assistance? •
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New York State public sector labor negotiation is a niche specialty with unique rules that have major consequences for the taxpayer including PERB improper practices, impasse procedures, mediation, fact finding, imposition and interest arbitration. Cost consequences. Personnel expenses constitute 55.5% of the town’s annual budget. A settlement difference of ¼% per year saves $255,000 during a three-year contract period. 3 contracts in one year are an unusually high annual workload. Historically, CSEA and Police have been offset by a year, but all three are up in 2026. Most towns use outside assistance for labor negotiations due to the workload and specialized nature of the process. Webster has historically used outside assistance for labor negotiations. For example, Pat Naylon, Esq. and Bernie Winterman. Webster’s Director of Finance and Human Resources Director have stated that they think outside assistance is necessary and beneficial for the taxpayer.
Why choose Connard HR Consulting? Experience • • • • • • •
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Connard HR consulting is in its 19th year of providing HR services to over 30 different clients. The founder has 34 years of local government experience. 21 years of experience as lead labor negotiator with large and small employers, including the Town of Webster. 21 years of chief human resources officer experience. Certified HR professional – understand management needs and the consequences of contract language. Authored almost 50 tentative settlement agreements Negotiations with 12 different unions, including 6 law enforcement unions. Personal experience with all elements of the labor negotiation life cycle: preparation, negotiation sessions, tentative settlements, contract votes, revotes, impasse, mediation, factfinding, PERB charges, interest arbitration, contract implementation, CBA writing. Served on PERB police interest arbitration panel. connardhr.com
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Ready on day one. Lower billable hours due to familiarity with Webster workforce, management and CBAs. Mentoring and knowledge transfer for Human Resources Director so that outside assistance will not be needed in the future. Excellent outcomes – COLA’s below peer comparables. Mutal health insurance savings. Strengthened management language. Continued ability to recruit and retain top talent. Discounted Rate – $165/hour is between 36% and 80% lower than other providers. Webster’s discounted rate is 13% lower than Connard HR Consulting’s standard rate.
How much will it cost? As stated above, a settlement difference of only ¼% cola per year costs the town $255,000 during a three-year contract period. Services will be billed on an hourly fee basis, not to exceed $35,000 annually. Total cost will depend on the length and intensity of each contract negotiation but with a contract cap of $35,000. Webster’s last negotiation cycle consisted of 21 half-day negotiation sessions between the town and the three unions over a two-year period. Preparation and post-meeting follow-up tend to run at a 2-to-1 ratio to negotiation sessions. Estimated total hours would have been 252 hours for a total of $41,580. Preliminary estimates for the 2026 negotiation cycle are 16 half-day negotiation sessions for a total cost of $31,680. Actuals will vary greatly based on bargaining positions of the union and the town.
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