BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM — With budget crafting underway for the town board, two Potsdam town court clerks are requesting a new salary contract which they say would bring their pay more in line with what other town employees make.

However, the clerks say they are not getting anywhere in the town on the issue.

Last month, Sherri Snyder, chief court clerk, addressed the town board at their meeting over what she said was a stall in negotiations.

“I am here tonight because I don't know if there is a breakdown with our union, the town or the town’s attorney for labor negotiations but we still have no reply from the Town from our last submission on August 5, 2025.we are now 9 months into negotiations and still no hope in sight to settle a contract for the court clerks. I stand here before you so no one can say they didn't know we hadn't settled the contract,” Snyder said reading from a letter to the board.

“We are talking about the 2026 budget, while the two court clerks still work on 2024 salaries. We have put forth proposals which are absolutely in line with every other Teamster employee but they have been rejected. We have been offered raises that are a complete insult,” Snyder said.

She went on to say that herself and fellow court clerk Peggy Brusso are asking for “fair and equitable” wages that others in the town are being paid.

Snyder said other Teamsters union town employees negotiated a 6 percent rise for three years due to taking cheaper insurance options, which is something she and Brusso are willing to do to also secure what they feel is more equitable pay. Snyder said other office employees that have been recently hired are making more money than the court clerks who have been employed with the town longer.

During her address to the board, Snyder claimed past discrimination against the court office by previous supervisor Ann Carvill.

“This method of behavior has continued with the new management when it comes to fair and comparable wages and benefits,” Snyder said of the new board and current Supervisor Marty Miller. “We have been retaliated against and negotiations are unbearable. We ask for what other clerks are being paid and unfortunately we are turned down.”

Snyder was direct in her criticism of town officials on the issue, claiming cronyism and favoritism is at work.

When contacted on the issue, Miller declined to comment stating that he did not negotiate in the media.

“We have had no reply from Supervisor Miller or any Town Board member,” Brusso told North Country This Week recently. “We have also not been contacted by the Teamsters either. We are assuming we are at an impasse, but are not sure. I have personally paid $13,000 dollars in dues for 23 years, and Sherri has paid over $8,000 since 2012. We are only asking for what the 2-year assessor is making, (Sherri has 16 years at the court) and I want what the Tax Aide makes, as I have previous part-time credit for working at the court from 2009-2012 and a bachelor's degree from RIT.”

Brusso expressed frustration with the current breakdown in negotiations and said the clerks have been treated “poorly” during the process.  

The town board is holding budget workshop sessions over the next couple weeks, and Brusso said she plans to attend.

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