Gov. Ned Lamont said in 2019 he wanted “an anti-Wisconsin moment,” a jab at Gov. Scott Walker’s sweeping fiscal reforms of 2011. Instead, Mr. Lamont said, he wanted to “show that collective bargaining works.”
When unions representing most of the state workforce wrapped up their first round of contract talks with Mr. Lamont last month, the anti-Wisconsin moment arrived. Connecticut taxpayers are getting a costly reminder of who the process “works” for.
If Hartford lawmakers consent, state employees will pocket $2,500 bonuses, back pay averaging nearly $2,000, and raises of 2.5% to 4.5%. Another $1,000 bonus and more raises await in July, around the time their unions will decide whether to offer Mr. Lamont’s re-election bid the same intense backing they delivered in 2018.
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