OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Undersheriff Nate Baideme reads a letter written by Sheriff Jim Quattrone at the recent Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, thanking county lawmakers for their support in approving three union contracts.

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County has approved three union contracts with its Sheriff’s Department.

The unions include the Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Chautauqua County, which members include those who are crime scene analysts, investigators, and sergeants; CSEA Unit 6322, which members include part-time deputies and court officers; and the Chautauqua County Sheriff Supervisors Association, which is for lieutenants.

All three contracts are for four years and begin Jan. 1.

DSACC union members will be getting wage increases of 4% each year, beginning in 2026.

CSEA Unit 6322 union members will be getting a one-time bonus of $500 to be paid in February. There will also be raises of 2.5% in 2027, 2028 and 2029.

CCSSA union members will be getting raises of 4% from 2027-2029.

Before voting, Legislator Fred Johnson, R-Westfield, said these contracts are high but he is still comfortable with them.

“This is well above inflation, but as a point of information, that’s OK because during the COVID times the raises were below inflation, so we’re catching up,” he said.

The four union contracts were passed unanimously.

After the vote, Legislator Fred Larson, D-Jamestown, noted the resolutions only highlight the new pay rate increases.

“Typically, there’s a lot more to collective bargaining than just the money – the working conditions, how much time do you have off, how much personal leave, how much notice do you have to give,” he said.

He suggested in the future county lawmakers meet in executive session to discuss contracts before they vote.

“You will be able to ask the county’s negotiating team what were the county’s priorities going into negotiations regardless of the bargaining unit, how did those work out in negotiations, what were the union’s priorities,” he said.

Collective bargaining discussions are permitted in executive sessions under the state’s Open Meetings Law.

At the end of the meeting, Undersheriff Nate Baideme read a letter from Sheriff Jim Quattrone thanking the legislature for its support.

“Your overwhelming and unanimous support speaks volumes about your commitment to our law enforcement community and the values we hold dear in our society,” the letter read. “This support is not just about numbers on a paycheck. It’s about valuing the lives and families of those who serve us daily. It’s about sending a clear message that we stand behind our law enforcement officers, providing them with the resources they need to perform their duties effectively and safely.”

The letter concluded saying, “Together we are building a stronger safer community for all.”