On Tuesday, SEA/SEIU Local 1984 and all other unions that represent state employees declared impasse in negotiations with the state over a new contract. The sides had been negotiating for months, however Gov. Chris Sununu’s team remained rigid with proposals seeking more concessions from state employees.
“The economy of New Hampshire is stronger than it’s been in years – something Gov. Chris Sununu celebrates regularly – but our experience bargaining with the state does not reflect or acknowledge that reality,” said SEA President Rich Gulla said. “In response, our state’s workforce continues to see issues with hiring and retention.”
James Nall, co-chair of the SEA’s bargaining team along with Leah McKenna, echoed President Gulla’s statement and noted that the team worked hard to craft proposals grounded in reality.
“Our bargaining team laid out thoroughly researched proposals that would benefit not just state employees, but most importantly, the people that they serve every day,” Nall said. “What we saw from Gov. Sununu’s team in negotiations were unrealistic, concessionary proposals that would harm state employees’ ability to deliver on their mission.”
The bargaining team will present a detailed explanation of what led to impasse during a meeting of the Bargaining Senate on Thursday night, immediately after the Special Convention that is set to start at 7 p.m. at 29 Hazen Drive in Concord.