News Clips for Nov. 3, 2009

Labor News:

Mayor, Unions Reach Tentative Agreements - Courant
VERNON — Mayor Jason McCoy has reached tentative, three-year labor agreements with three of the four unions representing at least 57 town employees who will not receive a raise in first year of the agreement.

Board at odds on labor ruling - Torrington Register Citizen
NEW HARTFORD — Selectmen disagreed on whether a former town employee who was fired last year should be reinstated to his former job as a state labor board decided, during its meeting on Monday night.

Economic downturn quiets labor unions - Washington Times
Labor peace has broken out across the country, and all it took was the nastiest recession since the end of World War II to spawn it.

L&M nurses weigh strike over benefits for sick time - New London Day
New London - Lawrence & Memorial Hospital registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and technicians will vote Wednesday on whether to go on strike Nov. 16 if a contract dispute over sick-time benefits.

High court to decide NLRB case - Associated Press
The Supreme Court said Monday that it will decide whether two people can do the work of five when it comes to resolving labor-management disputes in the workplace.

State/Local News:

State Budget $624 Million In The Red - CT News Junkie
Last month the governor’s budget office projected a $388.5 million budget deficit, but projections released Monday by state Comptroller Nancy Wyman forecast a deficit almost twice that size.

Connecticut's Health Care Advocate Calls For Federal Protections On Health Insurance - Courant
As health care reform gains momentum in Congress, Connecticut's health care advocate Monday called for federal standards to protect consumers in their dealings with health insurance plans.

National News:

Reid reassures left Lieberman on board - The Hill
Sen. Joe Lieberman has reached a private understanding with Majority Leader Harry Reid that he will not block a final vote on healthcare reform, according to two sources briefed on the matter.  

Opinion:

Former Health Insurance Insider Pushes For Public Option - Rick Green/Courant
Wendell Potter, a former vice president for corporate communications at CIGNA, returned to the Insurance City Monday to politely bite the hand that once rewarded him.

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