State workers agree to concessions

Hartford (WTNH) - The bargaining agent for the state's 50,000 employees has announced that most of the unions have agreed to major concessions to help the state out during the budget crisis.

The concessions were approved by a margin of about three to one with the total package approved by 29 of the state's 31 separate bargaining units.

"This has not been an easy decision. It is $700 million of real savings and real money back to the state of Connecticut," said Patrice Peterson, Dept. of Development Services.

The deal means no raises, even if they were scheduled, seven furlough days, a retirement incentive plan that is expected to attract about 3,000 people, increased co-pays and health insurance premiums and changes in the pension plan. The deal also means no layoffs for two years.

"No only are we risking our lives everyday but now we are also helping the state and the taxpayers financially by stepping up to the plate," said Steve Rief, Connecticut State Trooper.

But the unions that represent the nearly 6,000 prison correction officers and supervisors, about 10 percent of the state employee workforce, have only agreed to the health insurance and pension provision and not the wage concessions. That means they COULD face layoffs.

"There are 29 unit agreements out of 31 so the two units that are still in bargaining would not have job security as of this time," said Dan Livingston, State Employees Negotiator.

The prospects of these unions coming to agreement on those issues appear dismal, at best.

"I don't know if we will come to an agreement, I don't even know if we can come to an agreement but we're going to try," said Sal Luciano, AFSCME.

The agreement requires approval by the General Assembly and the Speaker of the House says it could come up for a vote as soon as next week.