No More Cuts, Tax the Rich for Connecticut's Future Say State Workers

 

“No more cuts, tax the rich,” chanted hundreds of state workers who filled the North side of the Capitol to demand that the Governor negotiate fair contracts and good services to “Fund Connecticut's Future.”

The rally was called by SEBAC (State Employees Bargaining Council) representing 45,000 state workers, in collaboration with 1199, representing 10,000 independent home care PCAs who have a contract with the State. Negotiations are currently underway.

“We are tired of being told to do more with less, we are tired of working year after year and seeing our benefits reduced and seeing our wages flattened at the same time we know that the wealthiest among us are doing better than ever,” said Rob Baril, president of SEIU 1199 New England representing health care workers.

“We are asking the Lamont administration to recognize the sacrifice and commitment of state employees who work tirelessly to keep Connecticut afloat,” AFSCME Local 318 president Patricia Davis told the crowd. “This is so we can provide services to communities, Black, brown and white. It is about providing a safe and equitable workplace for all employees whatever their skin color.”

Sal Luciano, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO emphasized that state workers have not had a raise in 11 years. “Look at the people here. Do not call them heroes and offer them zeroes.” 

 

Bianca Beland works at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and is a member of CSEA SEIU Local 2001. “Our environment must be protected and the state employees working under DEEP are paramount to this effort. But with underfunding and understaffing, we cannot conserve, improve and protect our natural resources. Fair contracts are not only the right thing to do for state employees, but the public we serve.”

Professor of political science at U Conn Lyle Scruggs, a member of AAUP, spoke up for students. “While lower taxes on the wealthy in Connecticut — and residents like Gov. Lamont and his family — certainly make it easier for them to pay for prep schools and private universities, cuts in state support make it harder for the state’s working families to afford a degree at a premier public institution,” he said .