Council 94 approves deal with state

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - By a fairly close margin, members of Council 94 approved a deal with the state to avoid layoffs.

The counting began around 1 p.m. at the union's North Providence headquarters, with the results released shortly after 2. The final vote was 1,757 to 1,264, the union said.

"It was not an easy vote," said Council 94 President J. Michael Downey. "Many of our members make less than $40,000 a year, and by agreeing to more furlough days they are putting their own families' financial health at risk."

Council 94 is Rhode Island's largest state employees union. Its more than 4,000 members have been voting over the past week on the deal that would cut their pay and require them to take 12 furlough days over the next two years. In exchange, workers would get extra vacation time and could claim some of the lost pay after leaving their jobs. The state has also agreed not to layoff any state workers.

The concessions are part of Gov. Donald Carcieri's cost-saving plans. He is responsible for trimming $68 million the General Assembly left in the budget.

Carcieri said he was pleased with the union's decision.

"I realize this was a difficult decision, and I appreciate the willingness and understanding of the state employees for choosing to be partners in managing our way through this economic crisis," said Governor Carcieri. "Because of the cooperation of Council 94, and the many other state employee unions that have already ratified the agreement, we will save $36 million in personnel costs over the next two years, keep people working, and preserve state services."

Several other state unions have already accepted the deal. Carcieri had warned those who don't will face mass layoffs.