Hartford's Workers United for Quality Services
News and Updates on the City Budget Deficit
Members of Our Chapter Representing Hartford's Professional Employees Met with City Council Majority Leader rJo Winch to Discuss Better Budget Choices in May
When Hartford City managers announced a first round of lay-offs in late-2008, two of our members in Council 760's Chapter 848 were among those providing valuable public services who were cut. Our members began reaching out to other city workers and began delivering a powerful message; it is irresponsible to balance Hartford's city budget by cutting vital public services.
In April 2009, as projections for the City’s budget deficit over the next year reached $40 million, several municipal unions formed the Hartford Public Services coalition. The goal was to work with elected officials, community leaders, and the private sector to help turn the local economy around while meeting the increased need for quality public services.
In June, the Coalition presented a framework of a plan that would
deliver savings to taxpayers, protect public services, and prevent job
losses to the mayor's office. Our Chapter's bargaining team quickly reached an agreement with representatives of the Perez Administration for a new three-year contract that was premised on the coalition's proposals.
In 2010, signs of economic recovery began to appear, but the city's fiscal health remained in question. As the mayor and City Council presented competing plans for closing a budget deficit for the following year, our members once again reached out to offer "win-win" solutions for maintaining Hartford's quality of life.
Blog entry on our members' continued advocacy for better budget choices
Blog entry on our Chapter's 2009 agreement and Coalition progress
Blog entry on Coalition's efforts to speak out for a fair budget that preserves services
Coalition statement on the Mayor and Superintendent's proposed 2009 – 2010 budget
Press release announcing the formation of the Hartford Public Services coalition
Hartford Advocate article connecting layoffs to public safety risks
Liz Kavanah's letter to the editor of the Hartford Courant calling for engagement, not blame
Blog entry on members' support of Hartford City Council proposal to suspend reckless cuts
Hartford Advocate article on impact of city's layoffs on our members
