ONLINE FEEDBACK
Theday.com readers had a wide difference of opinion concerning the July 26 editorial that backed the concession deal with state labor unions and urged Senate approval.
“State Senators: do not succumb to the blackmail about a budget impasse. Hold your ground and do the right thing for the first time in decades. Democrats will be just as responsible for a delay but public opinion is on your side for once. Taxpayers are fed up with public unions. We want them reined in with staffing levels and benefits brought into line with the private sector.” — Cowcatcher
“In 2008 Union jobs for state workers represented 52,193 workers. In 2017 they represent only 44,130. Cowcatcher says the public is fed up with public unions. I disagree vehemently. They have done their fair share of givebacks and the number of unionized jobs has DECREASED significantly since 2008. Cowcatcher needs to find a different villain to pick on.” — Moose 123
“@moose123 It’s not the number of state employees, Ct actually for our size has the right number of employees. It is your benefits. Ct employees have the most lavish benefits in the country. And when you have former state union presidents like (Sen.) Osten watching the gate, it’s little wonder.” — FiscalGuy
“The concessions are a start, but much more needs to be done. End the practice of bulking up salaries at the end of employment to increase the pension amount. Stop adding overtime to base salaries when computing earnings. Privatize the DMV.” — Oldgal
“The agreement was the best ‘deal’ that the Malloy administration could get from the State Union bargaining coalition. That is the purpose of negotiations. It is a give and take. There are still some items that I believe the state employees should give up (such as overtime counting for retirement and the custom of some to build up the overtime in the last three years to boost their pension) but that requires negotiations. If the legislature ever tried to end collective bargaining, it would mean years in the courts and increase animosity toward state employees.” — Wtfdnucsailor