Public Works employees say town reneged on agreement

WINSTED — The town of Winchester and members of the local public works union have yet to sign an agreement on a contract that was due to be signed more than a year ago. The two disputing parties will appear before the state labor relations board in October and November.

Negotiations are stalled, union members say, because the town is not sticking to a tentative agreement. Town Manager Keith Robbins says an acceptable compromise has not been reached.

In a press release last month, AFSCME Local 1303-44, representing Winchester Public Works employees, called on the town “to do what’s right and fair� by implementing a collective bargaining agreement that incorporates savings for taxpayers while preserving public services. The 20-member bargaining unit has been without a contract since June 30, 2008.

The state labor relations board held an informal hearing on the Winsted Public Works issue May 18, and has since recommended that the process move to a formal hearing. A pre-hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 19 in Winsted, followed by an actual hearing date of Nov. 2 at the state labor relations board’s offices in Wethersfield.

“We had a tentative agreement,� said union President Dennis Gomez, who said tentative agreements are generally ratified by town leaders and do not need to be signed. “I’ve been negotiating for 10 years for the city and I’ve never seen a signed tentative agreement in my life.�

Robbins said he agrees that a tentative agreement was reached, but that it was never signed and that means the terms are still open for negotiation. “I know I never signed a TA,� he said.

Gomez said both parties agreed to a new three-year agreement, but the town has refused to implement the terms of the agreement, forcing the union to file an unfair labor practice complaint with the Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations (CSBLR).

The Board of Selectmen has 45 days upon receipt of a tentative agreement to accept or reject the agreement, and if no action is taken, the collective bargaining agreement becomes law. Robbins contends that, since the tentative agreement was not signed, it was never officially presented to the board.

“We’re trying our best to help the town in challenging economic times. That’s why we stepped up to the plate to offer savings that would protect public services,� said Gomez. “We just want our elected officials to do what’s right and fair so that we can continue providing the best quality public services to the people of Winchester.�

Robbins said the terms of a tentative agreement were presented but that actual percentage increases for salaries were not hammered out.

“This process is a waste of precious taxpayer dollars and a drain on our morale,â€� Gomez said. “We urge Town Manager Robbins, Mayor Fracasso and the Board of Selectmen to do the right thing and implement our agreement. We have deep concerns about manpower and other issues, and we all need to focus on making sure we’re there for town residents and businesses.â€�          

Gomez said he hopes the town and public works representatives can come to a resolution soon.

“My biggest concern with all the job cuts in town is the services in the months to come,� he said. “Snow is around the corner and everybody works as hard as they can, but I don’t think they understand we’re understaffed. Certain things require manpower.�

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