Union Attempting to Block Police Merger

The merger of police departments in the town of Clay and the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office seemed well on its way to a reality. But not so fast.

The Clay Police Benevolent Association, Clay's union for police officers, says that town officials violated a state labor law by not talking with the union before reaching a merger decision.

The state's 40-year-old "Taylor Law" states that all public employers must make agreements with public employee organizations regarding their employees' terms and conditions of employment.

Clay Town Supervisor Jim Rowley says he believes the town is within its rights to make the merger.

Under the plan, all of Clay's 16 full-time officers would be absorbed into the county Sheriff's office. Clay officials say the town will save $1 million in the first year, and as much as $17 million over 10 years.