Four months ago, an agreement seemed very off. As we reported in an entry here at CSEA Connections in mid-February, Ridgefield's First Selectman had laid-off eight Town workers, including three of our Union members, and was demanding further givebacks.

A March CSEA News cover story on the dispute reported that our members had met in late-February to consider Town officials' proposals to produce labor cost savings. Members rejected the concessions because Selectman Rudy Marconi had failed to provide a comprehensive plan for preserving local public services, and to avoid making the economy worse.

In follow-up discussions with Town officials, our Union's legal counsel proposed the kind of job security that would ensure delivery of quality services to local residents and businesses. In mid-March, our members approved a tentative agreement that included a "no layoffs" provision and achieved savings through unpaid "furlough" time.

Over the next four weeks, Town officials, Union staff, and Chapter leaders finalized the language in the agreement, which extended our current contract for six months through June 30, 2010. Meanwhile, Selectman Marconi found himself in the middle of a public relations flap over his decision to award managers and non-union employees two paid days off.

Mike was quoted in a Danbury News-Times article late last month in which he questioned the First Selectman's judgment in offering the paid time-off while members of the Town's firefighters' union had not yet voted on a concessions agreement.

Though our members have secured an agreement that empowers them to deliver quality public services for another year, and Town residents approved the 2009 – 2010 budget on Tuesday, there is still important work to be done.

First of all, there is the questionable leadership the First Selectman has shown throughout this economic crisis. Then there is the risk of reduced municipal aid to Ridgefield if Governor Rell's proposed budget is adopted. If passed by the legislature, the result would be a significant shortfall in the Town's adopted budget, imperiling public services beyond our one-year agreement.

That is why our members living in Ridgefield and working for the Town must continue to press for the "Better Choices for Connecticut" proposed budget. Take a moment to visit the In This Together CT campaign website where you can send an email message to your State Representative and Senator urging them to oppose deep budget cuts and support a sensible revenue solution!