Council 94 - Rhode Island's largest workers union for state employees - has negotiated a compromise with Govenor Don Carcieri. This controversial cost-cutting agreement states that workers agree to lower wages in order to keep their jobs and was passed by 1,757 to 1,264.
The move requires that employees lose twelve days of paid work over the next year and a half, but in exchange they receive extra vacation time and the possibility to recoup lost wages when they retire or chose to leave their state job. In reaching this agreement Govenor Carcieri also vowed that workers would not be laid off as was earlier thought necessary and that his successor will not be permitted to shut down state government.
These compromises were made in reaction to Carcieri's proposition to close non-essential government offices for 12 days in order to cuts costs. Instead this deal will help to ease the government deficit of $68 million while still keeping the workers employed and keeping government activities moving during these difficult economic times.
