Public Service Workers Cast Overwhelming Majority of Votes in Support of $700 million in State Savings
by Matt O'Connor on May 8thThe State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) announced today that public service workers voted by a 3 to 1 margin in favor of the agreement that was negotiated between SEBAC and the Rell Administration.
Lead union negotiator Dan Livingston said that the public service workers, by working with the Administration in good faith, made a major contribution toward solving the state’s budget crisis. “As in any negotiation, both sides had to give a little in order to reach an agreement that was fair and that would win the support of the working families who comprise SEBAC’s membership,” he said. “This was not an easy process, but our members saw the need to protect public services for the people of this state and wanted to be part of the solution. At the same time, we hope we’ve provided an example so that others who can really afford to help — Connecticut’s wealthiest residents, and its largest corporations — will come forward and do their part as well.”
By supporting the agreement, public service workers will save the state three quarters of a billion dollars over the next two years. “In order to reach the level of savings the Governor requested, we had to agree to wage freezes, furlough days and changes to our health care plans,” said Patrice Petersen who works as a school teacher for the Department of Developmental Services. “While it was not an easy decision to make, I feel a responsibility to the people I serve to make sure that the services they rely on remain in place.”
“I know that we are doing the right thing,” said Steve Rief, a state trooper in the Department of Public Safety. “We’ve been called upon to do our part and we’ve stepped up with very specific – and significant – savings for Connecticut. I am proud of the statement that my colleagues have made by passing this agreement so decisively.”
The thirteen SEBAC unions, with a total of 50,000 individual workers, have been voting over the past two weeks, each following their individual voting procedures. On Friday morning, the official vote tallies became available, showing the vast majority of unionized state workers supporting the agreement.
The SEBAC agreement next goes the Connecticut Legislature for a vote.
May 8th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
“What percentage increase are the people who run the unions getting this year.” Seems that are dues go up and no one gets laid off, they can afford to get a raise, but we can’t!!!
May 8th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Does this agreement extend to management as well? Days off, benefit changes, security, etc.?
May 8th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
E.R.I.P COMING?………Connecticut employee’s have given a very large amount $ in give backs ,thus doing there part in this crisis. BUT will it be enough? Will enough be saved by the RIP……….? Come July 1 st open the ERIP to 52-54 year old State employee’s………
E-MAIL THE GOVERNOR and/or your STATE REPRESENTITIVE ask to OPEN UP THE ERIP AND SAVE CONN. ……………..Millions More during this economic crisis.
May 9th, 2009 at 8:34 am
to TAD : those folks who run our unions earn every penny they get for standing up for the rights and benefits of even members like you who don’t seem to understand that their union dues are the best investment they’ve ever made. Without those leaders and staff bargaining for all the members-we’d be making far less with little or no benefits and would be applying for food stamps to make ends meet!
May 11th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Instead of focusing on what others are not giving up, we should be thinking about what WE are not giving up. Employment and Health insurance. I, for one, enjoy having both.
March 27th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Rumors that I am hearing is that Gov. Rell is wanting to review and extremely ratify our current contract. What else can we possibly do for her and what about that untouchable rainy day fund? If it’s not raining I don’t know how bad it needs to get here!
I hope that any changes will come to us members for a vote, before any agreement is reached, as it should be!
There are many members with seniority that are simply going to loose their jobs because of the way this is playing out! If we need to bump then let that happen instead of these so called job fairs! All those positions that were being filled with displaced staff, were all coded on payroll as VAP – thus a vacant postion and not what has been said!
We the members need a say in everything that is going on and not hear about it after the fact!