Post by Logan on Mar 11, 2016 4:44:14 GMT -6
As Layoffs Loom, Malloy And State Unions Dance Around Benefits Talks
With a date of June 9 set for state layoffs that could reach into the thousands, you'd think both sides would want to negotiate pension and health benefits to save jobs. Why isn't that happening?
The layoff process is not just talk; it has begun. Earlier this week, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget office sent a letter to union officials notifying them that "reductions in force" might happen by June.
Malloy knows the state must adhere to seniority rules that will force commissioners to lay off their newest, least expensive people — not a smart way to manage a workforce. And he owes his re-election to these same unions, so he'd prefer to avoid layoffs.
Union leaders consider job security a core value, and they know they can save positions by offering givebacks. The two sides are already negotiating pay and working conditions for some 30 state employee unions whose contracts expire June 30. They're also discussing new ways to finance the pensions, an issue separate from the benefits available to employees and retirees, but part of the same overall agreement.
Read more: www.courant.com/business/dan-haar/hc-haar-malloy-sebac-talks-20160310-column.html
With a date of June 9 set for state layoffs that could reach into the thousands, you'd think both sides would want to negotiate pension and health benefits to save jobs. Why isn't that happening?
The layoff process is not just talk; it has begun. Earlier this week, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget office sent a letter to union officials notifying them that "reductions in force" might happen by June.
Malloy knows the state must adhere to seniority rules that will force commissioners to lay off their newest, least expensive people — not a smart way to manage a workforce. And he owes his re-election to these same unions, so he'd prefer to avoid layoffs.
Union leaders consider job security a core value, and they know they can save positions by offering givebacks. The two sides are already negotiating pay and working conditions for some 30 state employee unions whose contracts expire June 30. They're also discussing new ways to finance the pensions, an issue separate from the benefits available to employees and retirees, but part of the same overall agreement.
Read more: www.courant.com/business/dan-haar/hc-haar-malloy-sebac-talks-20160310-column.html