Westport Unions: 'We Are Not to Blame'

With anti-union sentiment reaching an apex in Wisconsin, Westport’s unions say they are not to blame for financial problems as the town tries to keep expenses to a minimum.

“I’m not suggesting that Westport is Wisconsin in miniature, but we’ve reached a breaking point where we can’t continue to blame, scapegoat or point to the middle class of workers and say they’re problems,” said Larry Dorman, council affairs for the Connecticut’s American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). His region, council 4, is comprised of 35,000 employees in Connecticut.

In Wisconsin, recently passed legislation scales back public employees’ benefits and rights to collectively bargain. In Westport, layoffs and wage freezes have become common since the onset of the financial crisis.

Colin Kelly, president of AFSCME Local 1303-387 employed by the town’s Conservation Department, said that he’s seen town services decline due to the cuts of the past two years.

“People are upset about not getting the status quo like they used to,” he said. “We’re feeling the pinch like everybody else.”

He added, “We’re worried that going forward that the reaction from the higher ups in town and the policy makers are essentially going to affect us in a negative way."

Last year, the Representative Town Meeting a pair of union contracts, including one for Kelly’s union of 58 employees. The fate of those contracts, which included wage freezes and increased health care contributions, now rest with a state arbitrator.

With the Board of Finance weighing in on the town and school budgets on March 22 and 24, union representatives organized a press conference in the Post Road West headquarters of United Food and Commercial Workers International Local 371. The goal, they said, is to inform.

Joe Arciola, the president of AFSCME 1303-194 employed by Parks and Recreation, said that employees are looked at as mere numbers by the Board of Finance and RTM.

“It’s frustrating to look at us like numbers or abusers, because we’re not. We do a service,” Arciola said. “We provide a very good service…and it’s frustrating on an everyday basis to hear it. It takes a toll. It takes a toll to come into work everyday and deal with that."

According to Dorman, council affairs for the union, Westport’s pension payouts lag behind the national numbers. He said the average pension is $13,200 annually, while AFSCME members make $19,000 nationwide.

According to Jim Castelot, a staff representative for council 4, financial problems come from elected officials and not the unionized workers.

“We’re the blame for the higher health care cost. We’re the blame for the pensions. We hang out the streets all day and do nothing with taxpayers’ dollars,” Castelot said. “All these are myths and just ridiculous things.”

The Board of Finance has expressed concern about the of employee benefits, and First Selectman Gordon Joseloff – who negotiates with the unions – has said his administration is “."

The Board of Finance could mandate further cuts, or they could enact a tax increase. Stephen Rubin, a member of the RTM and a unionized Parks and Recreation employees, spoke in favor of a tax rate. He said that wealthy people who move here expect the best in town services, and the high housing prices they pay reflect expectation.

“I think Westport can initiate a small tax increase, which wouldn’t amount to what some of these people I’m talking about pay for a bottle of wine on a holiday dinner,” Rubin said.