Malloy Asks Labor To Continue To Help Solve Budget Deficit [View all]

Last month Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was able to reach an agreement with the state employee unions to make changes to the pension fund without changing the benefits state employees receive.

However, in his speech Wednesday he indicated that he would like to continue to work with labor leaders “to find solutions for bringing employee costs in line with our economic reality. These talks have been frank and direct so far, and I’m appreciative that state workers are taking part in them.”

Labor officials said they are still talking with the Malloy administration, but being at the table doesn’t mean they plan on opening the 2011 contract to renegotiate their health and pension benefits.

“It’s very hard, but we must reach an agreement on how to make our pensions and benefits more affordable, as we face these fiscal challenges together,” Malloy said. “We must recognize that a responsible and balanced solution to our budget problem is one that includes state employee concessions.”

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