The CSEA News cover story on the latest efforts of the Hartford Public Services Coalition went to press the week before our Chapter's bargaining team negotiated the tentative agreement with City officials. Concern for the well-being of our members has been high in the weeks since, considering elected officials' threats to slash vital services to close a gap in the recently approved budget and last fall's workforce lay-offs which were designed to balance the previous year's books.

In addition to ratification by a majority of our Chapter's voting members on Tuesday, the three-year contract must also be approved by the City's Court of Common Council, which meets on Monday evening to take up end-of-fiscal-year business.

The agreement is based on the framework of the cost savings proposals Coalition leaders delivered to Mayor Eddie Perez earlier this month. Two days after the press announced our Chapter's TA, AFSCME Council 4's Local 1716 reached an agreement to provide job security for its members working for the City, as well.

We have maintained that in this alleged fiscal crisis, all parties -- policy makers, employees and taxpayers -- needed to cooperatively work to restore Hartford's fiscal stability and maintain vital services.

By agreeing to wage deferrals, furlough days, and an increased share of medical insurance costs, our members have shown their commitment to put the people we serve first. And the job security provisions we negotiated will enable us to continue to do so in this difficult economic climate.