UConn Union May Reconsider Controversial Contract

Facing certain legislative defeat of their ratified contract, the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association announced Friday that its membership will vote on whether to head back to the bargaining table.

The announcement comes on the heels of a joint statement released by Senate President Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) on Friday who described the proposed contract as "awful" and "unsustainable" in light of the state's fiscal woes.

UCPEA President Kathleen Sanner told The Courant that she will ask union members on Monday whether they want to head back to the bargaining table or refile the contract with the legislature. The union represents nearly 2,000 non-teaching professionals.

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Legislators are calling for the union and UConn to go back to the bargaining table. Earlier this week, Gov. Dannel Malloy said if approved, the contract would lead to massive layoffs and tuition hikes.

Here is the statement from Looney and Duff:

“Yesterday, Senate leadership informed union leaders that Senate Democrats were going to vote down the UCPEA contract. The current contract is not only unsustainable but an awful contract for Connecticut’s taxpayers.

“Senate Democrats will not vote for a contract that doesn’t reflect our economic reality. This contract will lead to massive layoffs and painful tuition increases forcing talented Connecticut students out of state.

“This is not a good contract. It is not a good contract today and it will still be a bad contract if they come back with the same contract three, six or nine months from now. The University and the union need to go back to the negotiating table.

“No matter the excuse they’re using to withdraw the contract, the fact remains that the contract was going to be defeated by the Senate Democrats.”

The Courant story can be found here.