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Hartford Council Approves New Labor Deal

By JENNA CARLESSO

October 23, 2012

HARTFORD —— The city council on Monday approved a new, four-year labor deal with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 4, Local 1716, one of the largest city employee unions.

The agreement calls for a 9 percent pay raise over four years and for members to take furlough days. The union includes about 330 full-time and 100 part-time city workers.

The council's unanimous approval was the final hurdle for the contract. The union approved the deal late last month.

The agreement runs from July 1, 2011, when the union's previous contract expired, through June 30, 2015.

Union President Clarke King said Tuesday he was relieved that the process was over. Local 1716 had been in negotiations with the city for more than a year.

"We did what we had to do for our members," King said. "When we explained [the contract] to our members, some weren't happy, but others are very glad to have their jobs. We did what we had to do save our members and make sure they have jobs."

Members will receive a 1.5 percent pay increase in 2012, a 2.5 percent increase in 2013, a 3 percent raise in 2014 and a 2 percent raise between January and June 2015, according to the agreement.

However, they will be required as part of the deal to take two furlough days by June 30, 2013. In exchange, Mayor Pedro Segarra has agreed not to lay off any members of the union from the time the agreement is signed until June 30, 2013.

The city had asked that the union take three furlough days during the 2012-13 fiscal year, but both sides eventually agreed on two days, union officials have said.

Segarra last month laid off 14 city employees, mostly from middle management, to help balance the city's 2012-13 budget, which was adopted in May. He had been counting on $1 million in union concessions that apparently did not materialize.

The mayor also eliminated five vacant city positions.