Day 2 - State Negotiations

March 29, 2011

(L) Council 13 Executive Director David Fillman and Council 13 Chief Negotiator Karen Momberger speak with Rank and File Policy Committee members. "In August when we first met, who could have imagined governors in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan would be ripping the guts out of collective bargaining," he said.  "But it is due to all of you - and the respectful reputation you've gained with this Commonwealth and this legislature - that we're not going through the same thing here."

(R) Exec. Dir. Fillman points out the uneven distribution of "shared sacrifice" to the Corbett negotiating team, referring to a recent article in Harrisburg's Patriot News that pointed out the size of Pennsylvania's legislature, their high wages and perks, better pension, and better health coverage at zero cost.

Rank and File Policy Committee members (L) and First Level Policy Committee members (R) prepare questions and comments.

Rank and File Policy Committee members listen intently as C13 Exec. Dir. Fillman brings them up to date on happenings in Pennsylvania, as well as, across the country.

Both sides at the bargaining table agreed that an amicable and timely solution is in everyone's best interest.  The Commonwealth's Chief Negotiator, Attorney Alfred J. D'Angelo, Jr,. said he wanted to find creative ways to come up with solutions, adding, "there's nobody I admire more than your Council."    Exec. Dir. Fillman stated, "We want to be a partner with you when it comes to finding waste in government, but we are not going to let this budget be balanced on our backs." 

Both the Master Agreement and Master Memorandum expire June 30, 2011.