Post by Logan on Mar 21, 2016 6:32:53 GMT -6
State Workers Union Declines To Reopen Contract Talks With Malloy
HARTFORD — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's chief spokesman blasted union leaders Sunday night for failing to negotiate concessions on benefits and pensions in order to potentially avoid thousands of layoffs.
Devon Puglia said the two sides had been exchanging letters behind the scenes when the unions' chief negotiator said he had not received authorization from leaders in the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition to talk about concessions.
"We're more alarmed, if not completely stunned, at the ludicrous rationale given as to why long-term benefits cannot or should not be part of the discussion,'' Puglia said Sunday. "At a time when critical state services and programs are being reevaluated, SEBAC leadership is refusing to have a conversation about changes to benefits and veiling that position by putting forth a ridiculous argument that SEBAC isn't empowered to negotiate on behalf of its members. Isn't that the whole point of SEBAC?''
"SEBAC should come to the table and talk about benefits. They need to adjust to Connecticut's new economic reality. It's that simple."
Read more: www.courant.com/politics/hc-malloy-sebac-contract-talkes-0321-20160320-story.html
HARTFORD — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's chief spokesman blasted union leaders Sunday night for failing to negotiate concessions on benefits and pensions in order to potentially avoid thousands of layoffs.
Devon Puglia said the two sides had been exchanging letters behind the scenes when the unions' chief negotiator said he had not received authorization from leaders in the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition to talk about concessions.
"We're more alarmed, if not completely stunned, at the ludicrous rationale given as to why long-term benefits cannot or should not be part of the discussion,'' Puglia said Sunday. "At a time when critical state services and programs are being reevaluated, SEBAC leadership is refusing to have a conversation about changes to benefits and veiling that position by putting forth a ridiculous argument that SEBAC isn't empowered to negotiate on behalf of its members. Isn't that the whole point of SEBAC?''
"SEBAC should come to the table and talk about benefits. They need to adjust to Connecticut's new economic reality. It's that simple."
Read more: www.courant.com/politics/hc-malloy-sebac-contract-talkes-0321-20160320-story.html