This day in history

MANIFESTO

I realize that just about everybody thinks that teachers have it made because they work only "half the year." What those critics ordinarily don't realize is that the other half of the year teachers aren't getting paid. That, of course, includes all holidays. I.e., teachers don't have the benefit of having Christmas, for example, as a paid holiday.

At any rate, teachers have been way behind the curve of the majority of officers in the Malverne, NY police force, but, alas, the glory days seem to be waning.

The Malverne police union that claimed hundreds of paid days off for officers who worked "special" holidays such as Gold Star Mother's Day and Child Health Day has lost its bid to keep the unusual perk and accrued time off.

An independent arbitrator's decision to side with the village means about half of the department's 22 officers owe back time for work on more than two dozen arcane observances, including Elizabeth Cady Stanton Day (Nov. 12) and Gerald Ford Day (Jan. 2) ...

Based on the union's interpretation of a clause in a now-expired contract, officers got credit for work on up to 25 additional days between 2004 and 2007. The days - most of which were commemorated in state or federal proclamations - included National Day of Katrina Remembrance (Aug. 29), Theodore Roosevelt's birthday (Oct. 27), and Parents' Day (July 27).

"I would say there has been some disappointment in the department," said Malverne Mayor Patricia McDonald.

I know it would just kill me if I could no longer celebrate Teddy Roosevelt's birthday in the way it deserves.