No Deal For the Governor and State Workers

By Laura Knoy on Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

After months of negotiations, the state employees union has rejected a proposed contract, which included nineteen furlough days. Now the governor says hundreds of workers will be laid off. We’ll find out how the state reached this point, why the bargaining process broke down, and whether this outcome could have been avoided.

Guests

  • Josh Rogers, NHPR statehouse reporter
  • Thomas Manning, Assistant Secretary of State and former director of the Division of Personnel; he leads the negotiating efforts on behalf of the state
  • Diana Lacey, First Vice President of the State Employees Association of New Hampahire and chairwoman of the SEA bargaining team

We'll also hear from

  • Ian Donnis, political reporter for Rhode Island Public Radio
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Furloughs vs. layoffs
Ann - Thu, 10/15/2009 - 08:00

It is very difficult to understand why the state employees voted against furloughs. Isn't it better to lose 8 days a year instead of your job? All the rest of us have had to make sacrifices - why should state employees be any different. Think of the heartache that could have been avoided if they had thought of their fellow employees who are losing their jobs. This was a selfish move.

The one thing you may not
NHPR Listener35 - Fri, 10/16/2009 - 09:39

The one thing you may not know: We the "State Employees" and the Union said yes to furlough days as long as our Govenor "Honest John" would promis no lay offs. "Honest John" refused! This has been his plan regardless. You wait "Honest John" will not be so popular once the sate starts to realize what he has done and how many valuable services he has cut! No One can judge unless they stand in our shoues.