Disagreement over union officials flares up in Connecticut
State union officials were recently targeted by Republican lawmakers in Connecticut, who objected to paying union representatives to do union business on the job and argued that it should be done on state time, according to BusinessWeek.
Approximately 86 percent of the state's employees belong to unions, and representatives known as shop stewards are responsible for answering their contract questions and handling problems before they become grievances. Shop stewards' salaries and benefits cost Connecticut taxpayers $93 million a year, according to House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero, who argued that the state cannot afford to pay those who are not at work.
"It's not the fault of an individual who holds the job," Cafero said, as reported by the news source. "It's not the fault of the union. It's the fault of a system that has gotten out of control."
Larry Dorman, a spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, said the system is actually saving taxpayers money because shop stewards can solve members' problems before arbitrators are required to step in.
Connecticut is facing a budget deficit of $3.4 million at the beginning of this budget year, according to the Sunshine Review.
Approximately 86 percent of the state's employees belong to unions, and representatives known as shop stewards are responsible for answering their contract questions and handling problems before they become grievances. Shop stewards' salaries and benefits cost Connecticut taxpayers $93 million a year, according to House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero, who argued that the state cannot afford to pay those who are not at work.
"It's not the fault of an individual who holds the job," Cafero said, as reported by the news source. "It's not the fault of the union. It's the fault of a system that has gotten out of control."
Larry Dorman, a spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, said the system is actually saving taxpayers money because shop stewards can solve members' problems before arbitrators are required to step in.
Connecticut is facing a budget deficit of $3.4 million at the beginning of this budget year, according to the Sunshine Review.
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