Connecticut House Bill HB06093

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/17
• Refer: 1/20/17

Caption

An Act Excluding Retirement Benefits From Collective Bargaining By State And Municipal Employees.

Impact

Should HB 06093 be enacted, it would significantly alter the current landscape of collective bargaining for state and municipal employees. This change is anticipated to streamline negotiations by narrowing the focus of discussions, allowing employers to eliminate certain liabilities associated with retirement benefits. The bill's provisions would apply primarily to new hires and future employees, indicating a gradual phasing out of retirement benefit negotiations for existing employees, thereby simplifying the financial obligations of state and municipal budgets concerning retirement funding.

Summary

House Bill 06093 aims to amend existing collective bargaining laws by excluding retirement benefits from the negotiation process for state and municipal employees. This legislative change would impact the bargaining practices that govern employment relations between state and municipal workers and their respective employers, effectively removing the topic of retirement benefits as an issue for negotiation. The proposed bill is designed to align the laws governing collective bargaining in Connecticut with those of neighboring states, which already exclude retirement benefits from such discussions.

Contention

The bill has generated various points of contention among legislators and public interest groups. Proponents argue that removing retirement benefits from collective bargaining aligns with reforms in other jurisdictions and may relieve financial pressures on state and municipal budgets. Conversely, critics warn that this initiative undermines the rights of workers and could significantly diminish the negotiation power of unions. Opponents are concerned about potential impacts on employee morale and recruitment efforts, as retirement benefits are often viewed as a crucial component of a comprehensive compensation package.