Governor Rell, Citing Deficit, Asks Legislature

to Reject Contract Award for Correction Officers

Governor Honors ‘Difficult, Dangerous’ Job But Warns

$86 Million Contract Unaffordable Amid $6 Billion Shortfall

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that because of the state budget deficits looming in the next two years she is asking the General Assembly to reject an arbitrator’s decision that would cost the state more than $86 million over the next three years.

            The decision involves the state’s contract with correction officers and other employees in the state’s prison system. The decision gives the Corrections bargaining unit represented by Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees a 3 percent general wage increase plus annual increments and lump sum payments which will result in total increases of up to 6.5 percent in the first year. It also awards general wage increases of 2.5 percent plus step increases and lump sum payments in each of the following two years.

            “The decision to ask you to reject the contract was a difficult one for several reasons,” Governor Rell said in a letter to legislative leaders. “Correction officers have among the most difficult, dangerous and essential jobs in all of government. I value their commitment to public service and appreciate the job they do each and every day, around the clock, to keep our communities and facilities safe.

            “I also recognize that the arbitrator upheld the state’s position in nearly every instance,” the Governor added. “Unfortunately, the state’s last best offers were put on the table in May and were based on economic data available at that time, long before the national fiscal crisis created a sea-change in the state’s economic circumstances.”

            Noting that the state faces projected shortfalls of $2.6 billion in Fiscal Year 2010 (which begins July 1, 2009) and $3.3 billion in FY2011, Governor Rell said the raises and other costs of the arbitrated contract would total $86.3 million over three years – money the state simply does not have at the moment.

            “I cannot recommend approval of this award despite my deep appreciation of the critical functions performed by the members of the corrections bargaining unit,” Governor Rell said. “I wish that the state had funding available to pay for the arbitration award, but the simple reality is that we do not.”

            An arbitrated contract can be rejected by a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly.

            Governor Rell’s letter was sent to Senate President Don Williams, House Speaker Chris Donovan, Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, House Majority Leader Denise Merrill, Senate Minority Leader John McKinney and House Minority Leader Larry Cafero. The Governor also wrote to leaders of AFSCME Council 4.

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