The Journal Inquirer reported on the Council's rejection of both our members' and the firefighters' union contracts the day after the meeting. Local Union President Cathy Osten is quoted from the statement she made to the Council during the public comment portion of the meeting before the vote to reject our members' contract.

Chapter member and Tolland Public Library tech assistant Lucy Pantuosco delivered a statement as well, putting the vote to accept the Town's contract proposals just two weeks before in context. She said that "while it was not what we hoped for" our members made the decision to ratify the contract "in good faith and in the spirit of cooperation during what we know are difficult times."

In urging the rest of the Council to reject our contract, Chair Fred Daniels claimed the economic climate had "changed" since the agreement was reached on January 21, and said the Town no longer had the resources for the modest improvements our bargaining team had negotiated.

A synopsis of Cathy and Lucy's comments are included on the first page of the February 10 meeting minutes, available online at the Town's website. The minutes also include a second round of public comments made after the Council voted to reject both contracts, on pages 11 and 12. Take a moment to read the unanimous statements of support for Tolland's dedicated town workers and firefighters -- along with several strong rebukes of the Council members who voted 'no.'

Now that Town elected leaders' response to the budget deficit has escalated into "panic-mode," it is critical that we determine an effective strategy for preserving the public services our members deliver. We don't question elected leaders' cause for alarm; after all, as the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) reported earlier this month, Governor Rell's proposed budget would result in a loss of nearly $125,000.00 in municipal aid to the Town, and current fiscal year shortfalls are now projected at $750,000.00.

But, as Lucy said in her statement, "during stressful economic times, residents turn to Town services at an increasing rate, and we, in turn, take pride in providing those services to meet residents' needs." Going forward, we will need to make sure local elected leaders don't further jeopardize the supports Tolland's residents and businesses rely on.

Members are urged to attend Wednesday's Chapter meeting at Town Hall to hear from our Union's Attorney Bob Kryzs, who will report-back on discussions he has had with the Town Manager and review our options for confronting the crisis.