Less than one day before Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s budget address to the General Assembly, leaders of the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition sent a letter to Rell and legislative leaders clarifying its position.
It says states public employee unions are ready to help in the state’s economic recovery efforts by offering concessions, but there is a condition.
“We must include this condition because while we are willing to ask our members to be part of the solution, we are not willing to ask them to be part of the problem. And cutting public services in this economic crisis would be precisely that – it would only make the problem worse for everyone,” the letter states.
Click here to read a copy of the letter.
The letter goes on to say that the coalition of 13 labor unions is not against raising taxes in an effort to close a portion of the budget deficit.
“It is time to say frankly and openly to the people of this state that revenue enhancements will be necessary to protect the public services upon which they depend, and to avoid sending Connecticut’s economy into a further tailspin. We know collecting additional revenues during a recession is difficult. But it is necessary,” the letter states.
Support authentic, locally owned and operated public service journalism!
Rell made it abundantly clear Monday night in her address to the people of Connecticut that she will not be proposing any new taxes in her budget.
The details of the budget will be made clear Wednesday afternoon when Rell outlines them in her budget address to the General Assembly at noon.
More Labor News

Lamont Inks New Employment Law Backed By Unions
In a victory for state labor unions, Gov. Ned Lamont ignored a lobbying effort by business organizations and signed a bill Tuesday prohibiting employers from holding “captive audience” meetings to potentially discourage workers from unionizing.
Keep reading
States With The Largest Unionized Workforces
Where does Connecticut stand in the list of states with the most unionized employees?
Keep reading
Business Leaders Make Push To Veto Captive Audience Bill
Connecticut business leaders are leaning on Gov. Ned Lamont to veto a bill that would restrict what employers can say in the workplace. The bill, which has been a priority of labor unions for years, is being described by business owners as an unconstitutional attempt to restrict workplace communications and an infringement on employer free…
Keep reading
ANALYSIS | It’s A Wrap: The Winners and Losers of the 2022 Session
It was a short legislative session, but the House and the Senate were able to move a lot of business this year, including the passage of a $24-billion budget with around $600 million in tax cuts.
Keep reading
‘Captive Audience’ Bill Headed To Governor’s Desk
Legislation prohibiting Connecticut employers from holding “captive audience” meetings to discourage workers from organizing received final approval in the House late Friday despite Republican arguments it was preempted by federal law. The bill passed in a 88 to 56 vote, generally along party lines. Eight Democrats joined all but one Republican in voting against it.…
Keep reading
Health Care Workers Call for New Hires
After a record number of health care workers are expected to retire this year, health care staff called on Gov. Ned Lamont to commit to filling 1,000 vacant positions by August 1 of this year. A record 1,137 state workers who notified the state that they will retire this year comes at a moment of…
Keep reading