fringe benefits package

"If you use people on overtime, you don't pay more for health insurance, pensions and various fixed fringe benefits packages," he said.

The assessment fees help finance the $200 million-a-year fringe benefits package provided by the longshoremen's union.

"If your employer provides disability coverage as part of a fringe benefits package, you should - under most circumstances - accept the benefit," Mr. Breitbard said.

Mr. Giordano put the blame on previous mayors, who he said underfunded the city employees' pension fund for at least a decade and signed union contracts with what Mr. Giordano said were overly generous fringe benefits packages.