The Rensselaer County Deputy Sheriff’s PBA is in need of the community’s support.

Since being elected, Sheriff Kyle Bourgault and his administration have engaged in what we believe to be a systematic effort to weaken and undermine the Rensselaer County Deputy Sheriff’s PBA. Below are examples of the concerning “union busting” tactics and retaliatory actions that have taken place:

• Retaliatory denial of union leave on numerous occasions, including denying leave to the PBA President to prepare for an upcoming disciplinary arbitration.

• Arbitrary changes to Investigators’ schedules without regard for seniority, established practices, or operational consistency.

• Denial of “work swaps” that had traditionally been approved by supervising Sergeants without issue.

• Demotion of an experienced Investigator without just cause or legitimate explanation.

• Inappropriate criticism of an Investigator’s hair color despite the employee remaining fully compliant with departmental policy, evidenced by the fact that no disciplinary action was ever issued.

• Coercion of an employee into signing documentation that he was not authorized or required to sign.

• Selective enforcement of departmental rules, policies, and professional standards.

• Targeting members of the PBA Executive Board in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to intimidate, divide, and weaken the Union.

• Direct orders from the administration to remove the department Christmas tree from the facility where it had been displayed for eight (8) years. The tree was donated by the PBA Vice President and decorated annually in honor and remembrance of fallen officers.

• Failure to provide the Union with documentation required under labor law despite repeated formal requests.

• Refusal by the administration to communicate with Union representatives regarding official inquiries and information requests, resulting in unnecessary and avoidable litigation at the expense of Rensselaer County taxpayers.

• Mass resignations and transfers from the Emergency Services and Investigations Units due to deteriorating morale and adverse working conditions under Sheriff Bourgault and Undersheriff Michael Dinardo.

• Continued disregard for employee morale, labor relations, and the collaborative working environment necessary for a professional law enforcement agency to function effectively.

The issues listed above represent only a small sample of what employees have experienced while working under Sheriff Kyle Bourgault and Undersheriff Michael Dinardo. Despite repeated efforts by the Union to address these concerns professionally and internally, the administration has continued to refuse meaningful communication or cooperation with Union leadership.

While the administration may refuse to answer to the Union, they still answer to the residents and taxpayers of Rensselaer County.

We respectfully ask the community to stand with the hardworking men and women of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office by supporting our efforts and signing our petition.

Thank you for your continued support.

Paul Iachetta
UPSEU COPS Division Coordinator