Malloy urges rejection of UConn union contract

Legislative aides pushed copies of Connecticut's budget plan through the Legislative Office Building last month. Legislative aides pushed copies of Connecticut's budget plan through the Legislative Office Building last month. Photo: Jessica Hill / Associated Press Photo: Jessica Hill / Associated Press Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Malloy urges rejection of UConn union contract 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

HARTFORD — The governor on Wednesday asked the General Assembly to reject a five-year contract for more than 1,800 non-teaching professionals at the University of Connecticut.

The proposed pact — which includes a 4.5 percent raise that would cost an $94 million itself — is scheduled to take effect next week. A memo from Ben Barnes, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget chief, warned Wednesday that if the UConn pact goes into effect, it would set a standard for raises that could snowball into a $1 billion cost over the next five years.

If lawmakers don’t vote to overturn the deal with the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association and restart negotiations, the contract would automatically take effect.

In reaction, the union, representing nurses, librarians, residential-life employees, academic advisers, dining-service workers and administrative staff, said the late-breaking attempt to scuttle a “fairly negotiated” contract is unprofessional.

“We must value and support those that serve the public,” Malloy said in a statement, noting that while the deal was agreed upon in good faith, a sharp decrease in tax revenue has created a “new economic reality” that requires the rethinking of contracts.

On Monday, Malloy used his executive authority to cancel raises for about 2,650 non-unionized state managers, including 1,950 in the executive branch he directly controls, worth about $10.4 million over two years.

“It would set a precedent that would necessitate the elimination of even more jobs,” Malloy wrote.

The UConn union, whose president is Kathleen Sanner, Wednesday afternoon issued a statement expressing disappointment.

“The focus of the governor and some state representatives is a misdirection of the facts on a fairly negotiated agreement between UCPEA and the University,” the statement said. “To suggest that this contract will increase costs to taxpayers is simply wrong.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, indicated they would bring the contract up to a vote with a recommendation to reject it.

Last week the legislative Appropriations Committee approved it.

“We are afraid that, if approved, the contract will lead to massive layoffs and painful tuition increases forcing talented Connecticut students out of state,” Looney and Duff said in a joint statement.

House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, D-Derby, said she wishes that Malloy had persuaded the leaders of the Appropriations Committee to turn down the package last week.

“I commend the Governor for reaching the conclusion a week late on what was obvious from the beginning,” she said.

kdixon@ctpost.com;