Gov. to union: No more negotiating

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Council 94, the state's largest workers union, plans to hold a meeting Friday to lay out a new contract proposal. However, Governor Carcieri said Thursday there would be no more negotiating.

Earlier Thursday, Council 94's leaders said they would accept a deal to avoid layoffs and shutdown days, if the Governor removes a relocation provision. They maintain it undermines job security, by allowing the state to randomly reassign state workers without regards to seniority. The leaders rejected the original proposal Wednesday.

"We know that in order to settle any dispute, the two parties have to keep talking," said Joseph Peckham, the acting Executive Director of Council 94. "Eventually, they will come to a resolution."

The governor's office responded late Thursday saying they would not re-negotiate, and would move forward with layoffs.

Governor Carcieri said he had no assurances that more negotiations would work, since Council 94 ultimate rejected the original deal. He also said he would not remove the relocation provision.

"That was the trade-off for no layoffs for two years, so you can't say 'oh, take that out," Governor Carcieri said.

Council 94 accused the governor of delivering an ultimatum, and being stubborn.

"I think if the public was more informed of all the concessions we've made, there wouldn't be this tension or perceived tension," Peckham said.

Several smaller state workers unions have agreed to the governor's proposal.