Community Corner

Mayor: DPW Workers Getting Layoff Notices

Mayor Jason McCoy is blaming stalled contract negotiations. Union says it it willing to talk.

Mayor Jason McCoy said today that layoff notices are being sent to some public works employees because of stalled contract negotiations between the town and Local 1471 of AFSCME.

The union represents Department of Public Works employees that collect trash and laborers that handle general DPW assignments as well as building maintenance and parks. It also represents operators for the Water Pollution Control Authority.

McCoy has been acting as the town's spokesman during negotiations.

McCoy on Friday said the union rejected a temporary agreement and that he was considering layoffs to make up a "budgetary shortfall" as a result. Today, the notices were being delivered under the 14-day required window, he said.

They would be effective Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 and 2, he said.

"As a result of this  … we are underfunded in those three departments,'' McCoy said today. "Steps will be taken to avoid any personal liability for a budgetary shortfall.  Therefore we will be notifying the union of layoffs. Layoffs will begin on Aug.  31, and Sept. 1 and 2."

It would at first mean a week without trash collection, he said Friday.

It could be longer. McCoy said the layoffs would be technically permanent and recalls would be on an as-needed basis. There is a recall provision in the expired contract, he said.

Jason Wells, a staff representative for AFSCME, said today he did not want to argue contractual points in the media, but added the union is ready to go to arbitration if needed to get an agreement. In the meantime, he said the union will file the proper labor paperwork to protest what it considers "a retaliatory act.''

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Wells said union members were to receive the notices this afternoon. He said the police department's mechanic is also included in the contract.

"We're ready to go,'' Wells said of more negotiations. "I don't know what game of chicken the mayor is playing, but I guess it's OK because there is no snow on the ground. But the residents will want their leaves picked up and they want their police vehicles running. It's not just about trash removal.''

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McCoy said the temporary agreement called for a wage increase of 2.5 percent over two years. He said it also reduced employee health insurance contribution by 5 percent.  

"Comparable job classifications show that this group is paid 12 percent higher than others in Connecticut," he said.

Wells disputed that contention.

"When you look at other DPWs the same size in other towns - East Hartford and Manchester - we're underpaid, so that number is inaccurate'' he said. "This is one of the worst CEOs the town has ever seen.''

McCoy said one sticking point was contractual language regarding transfers from one DPW unit to another.

McCoy is not seeking a third term in office. When asked if his strategy was to wait for the November election, Wells said the strategy was "irrelevant'' with McCoy not on the mayoral ticket. 


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