Advisory Opinion NO. 2005-1
Further Application Of Code Of Ethics To Labor Representative On The
Stephen Laccone, President of AFSCME Local 353 and the labor representative on the Waterbury Financial Planning and Assistance Board (“Board”), has asked the Ethics Commission for a further interpretation of the application of the Code of Ethics for Public Officials, Conn. Gen. Stat. §1-79 et seq., to the Board’s labor representative. Specifically, he has asked whether he may participate as a negotiator on behalf of his bargaining unit on a new agreement between the City of
The Board was created by Special Act No. 01-1 to oversee the financial affairs of the City of
exists, the Legislature is, in essence, making a policy determination that the individual’s specific experience and expertise outweigh the potential conflicts.”
Applying this logic to the facts presented by Mr. Laccone, it is reasonable to conclude that the General Assembly did not intend to prevent the Board’s labor representative from participating in his union’s contract negotiations with the City prior to any Board involvement. Therefore, Mr. Laccone is not precluded by the Code of Ethics from participating in the preliminary negotiations between the City and his union. If, however, the matter comes before the Board, he may only participate in the Board’s deliberations if he files a §1-86 statement and refrains from taking any further part in his union’s sessions regarding the contract.
By order of the Commission,
Hugh C. Macgill, Chairperson