Federation of Connecticut Taxpayer Organizations

State employee unions and Gov. M. Jodi Rell released a joint statement this afternoon saying that they have "worked out the framework for an agreement" that would include a retirement-incentive package and reduce state labor-related costs by $637 million during the next two budget years beginning July 1.

In a key point around which negotiations had centered, the two sides appears to have agreed to a two-year no-layoff provision, a year less than had initially been sought by the State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition, known as SEBAC.

As worded in the joint statement by Rell's office and SEBAC, "the framework � provides job security for permanent employees during the upcoming biennnium [two-year period], as well as the flexibility needed to make organizational changes."

Neither side in the negotiations would release any details, nor would they comment beyond the words agreed to in the joint statement, which continued: "Details of the agreement are still being discussed, including translating its job security provisions to the particular circumstances of the Judicial Branch and higher education institutions."

"In order to respect the democratic processes of the unions involved, Governor Rell and union leaders have agreed not to provide details to the press until they can be presented to union delegates and members. This process is expected to take several days," the joint statement said..

However, both sides said that "the proposed agreement the proposed agreement includes a Retirement Incentive Program, in addition to changes in health insurance and wages."

The two sides expressed "optimism that a positive result would be reached," but cautioned that "more work remains to be done, and � any agreement ultimately must be presented to union membership for ratification, and to the General Assembly for approval."

While no details were announced today, documents obtained by the Courant show that last week, prior to whatever changes in position may have developed since then, the two sides were talking about the possibility of the state agreeing to "SEBAC's demand for no loss of employment, including loss of employment due to programmatic changes," subject to various conditions.

Those conditions included the state's offer of a two-year, no-layoff deal that would end on June 30, 2011, and would have covered employees hired before July 1 of this year

Also under discussion, as of last week, were concessions on wages, health care benefits, and unpaid furlough days, as Rell and lawmakers are trying to close a budget gap that has been estimated at $8.7 billion over the next two years. Salary freezes and higher costs for prescription drugs were also among the key provisions that were being negotiated last week behind closed doors. http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-web-union-concessionsapr07,0,6698922.story