In a sobering parting speech, Mayor Bloomberg on Wednesday offered his own lesson in progressive politics to incoming Mayor Bill de Blasio: Protect taxpayers, not unions.
“Labor leaders are understandably determined to protect their members. But it’s the job of those in government to protect our children, to protect the social safety net and to protect future generations,” Bloomberg said in his final major address before the Economic Club of New York in Midtown.
“That’s a fundamental principle of progressive politics and we cannot afford to adhere to that principle on every issue except labor contracts.”
All of the city’s unionized employees are working under expired contracts — some of which ended as far back as 2009.
Bloomberg has refused to sign new deals without reforms, especially to health-care benefits, and has insisted taxpayers can’t afford retroactive pay.
“The costs of today’s benefits cannot be sustained for another generation — not without inflicting real harm on our citizens, and on our children and grandchildren,” he warned.
The unions decided months ago to wait out Bloomberg and deal with his successor, who turns out to be a liberal Democrat and longtime union ally.
De Blasio has said he’s determined to come up with labor agreements early in his term — without providing many details on how he’d accomplish that.
Union leaders dismissed Bloomberg’s speech as more of the same rhetoric.
“It is unfortunate that Mayor Bloomberg would use his last few days in office to blame unions yet again for the failure of his own administration,” said Harry Nespoli, chair of the Municipal Labor Committee.
The mayor-elect was skeptical.
“As much as I appreciate Mayor Bloomberg’s advice, I would caution that one should be careful about giving advice from that perspective,” de Blasio said.