Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and some state employees were breathing a sigh of relief Tuesday as they expect another chance for a re-vote on a savings-and-concession deal that would avoid thousands of layoffs.
Since union leaders changed the by-laws of the state union coalition, the rank-and-file now needs only to deliver a vote of 50 percent to accept the deal with Malloy and avoid the job eliminations.
Malloy spoke with reporters, including FOX CT's Jennifer Bernstein, in Torrington in his first public remarks since the unions had changed the rules.
"I'm certainly more hopeful today than I was on Sunday because they took that action,'' Malloy said Tuesday. "I know Mr. Ojakian will be meeting or sitting down with the folks from SEBAC later today. They were meeting in preparation to meeting with him."
"I don't think there's any reason that we couldn't have a quick agreement in 24, 48 hours as opposed to days or weeks,'' he continued. "We should get it done. There are a lot of people whose lives are on the line, and certainly I want to get that resolved."
Despite the potential elimination of 6,500 positions that includes layoffs of more than 3,000 people, Malloy said that much of the potential damage from layoffs could be undone.
"I think the bulk of those,'' he said. "I mean, on the management side, I've always said we need to make some changes and some consolidations, but yeah, I think that they could, and I think that's what needs to be discussed. On the other hand, a raise went into effect, so that needs to be discussed as well. So we have to be at the table. On the other hand, we're not renegotiating this issue. We are going to look at the issues that have been created as a result of going past July 1st, and then clearly this medical stuff caused some consternation within the union membership, and that needs to be resolved."
"Let me be very clear. We aren't talking about major changes."
Concerning the future, he said, "I can't prejudge except that I know the outcome will be largely in keeping with the agreement that's already been negotiated, was successfully negotiated and was approved by 57 percent of the employee group that voted. So it doesn't need major changes. I understand that this thing grew that somehow we were doing SustiNet, even though I was the guy who held SustiNet back, and made it clear that we weren't going to do that - so if we can clarify that or clarify some of the language or talk about, that's highly appropriate."
But Malloy will not suspend the issuance of layoff notices because they still do not have a revised, final agreement yet. More than 1,000 state employees have already received their notices.
"We've been down this road, and we will continue the process of notifications and of laying people off and of moving forward, as if there's no agreement in place,'' he said. "That doesn't mean we are not hopeful that that agreement ultimately comes into place."
"I remain hopeful that we can undo this,'' Malloy said.
While some union members are glad that they will get another chance at voting, others are upset that the unions changed the rules after the game had already started. Overall, 57 percent voted in favor of the initial plan, and 43 percent voted against.
