Gov. Dannel Malloy (D., Conn.) takes a “slightly more intellectual approach” to negotiating with state-employee unions: He asks them for $2 billion in concessions over two years and leaves their collective-bargaining abilities unmolested.
The response — at least from the Connecticut State Prison Employees — is something less than gratitude. CT News Junkie has obtained a copy of AFSCME Local 391’s board-meeting minutes, and they belie the “good faith” the union has promised the Democrat:
2. Contract Negotiations: . . . Stance: Keep what we have, no givebacks! . . .
3. SEBAC Concessions: NO, NO, NO! The members have spoken and we have heard them loud and clear: NO! This is Local’s position, no ifs ands or buts!
4. Legislative Presence: . . . We will stay in our “friends” faces, testify at hearings and meet with Legislators. Our speaking points: we have already given and we are NOT giving more back, period. We will continue to call for the downsizing of management, tax the rich and to keep our prisons open!
Look at what else they considered:
7. Wisconsin Donation: $250.00 donation to the Union fighting to recall politicians who voted to end collective bargaining in their state.
The Capitol can honor Malloy with the “Clint Eastwood Award” for his “empathy and fairness.” But empathy and fairness work only when the other side is willing to listen.
Conservatives need to stand up and explain why eliminating collective bargaining for public unions IS a long-term budget strategy. They can also tell people why it's an inherently corrupt operation - as evidenced in the article above.
They're going to take mandatory (or extorted) dues and funnel them to recall elections IN ANOTHER STATE. Connecticut taxpayer money going to Wisconsin. Corrupt and greedy corporate execs should be so lucky.
Let's hope we learn from Gov Walker's cryptic and lacking explanation of his budget. Tell people why public unions are inherently corrupt and expensive.
Jon
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As a rare species in Connecticut (a conservative lawyer), and with all due deference to another blog, I hereby award Dannell the Captain Renault Award on this one. There is no doubt that after all the "listening" and other horsehockey we've been watching for the past month or so, the "shared sacrifice" is going to be hiking taxes and fees, while imposing more nonsense like busways and "traffic calming" on the rubes (aka, Connecticut residents).
Last productive person in CT: turn out the lights on the way out, will ya? After all our new Green Czar, Dan Esty, will sue you if you don't.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMaryland's Governor, Martin O'Malley, pursued the same tack... requesting concessions without repealing collective bargaining. And he tossed in some heft tax increases just to sweeten the deal (for the unions). They protested him anyway.
Rick Snyder in Michigan, same deal: some concessions from unions, no change in collective bargaining, and a big fat tax increase to keep the party going. The unions protested him anyway.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI join FiveG as a rare conservative lawyer in CT. During the campaign last year Malloy was accused of privately promising to the public unions no cuts. His public face on budgeting is better than I expected, but my money is on Malloy in the end fleecing taxpayers to whatever extent the unions dictate.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI note our legislature is busy with pressing issues like outlawing pistol magazines that hold >10 rounds. The Constitution State is hard adrift.
A whole $250 donation to their comrades in Wisconsin? Why the generosity astounds.
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