The impasse panel released a recommendation
over the weekend that would allow state employees to see a 2 percent raise for
the next two years. The recommendation would require state employees switch to
a less expensive healthcare plan.
Under the new proposal, employees would
receive a 0.5 percent lump sum payment in October 2014 and 2015 along with a 2
percent pay increase during those two years.
Employees will face additional costs under the new healthcare plan in
which they enroll, which would be offset by the lump sum the employees would
receive.
The proposal comes as a compromise between
the Office of State Employers (OSE) proposal of a 2 percent raise in 2014 and 1
percent increase in 2015 and the union’s proposal of 3 percent for both
years.
The unions argue that state employees cuts
over the past few years need to be restored and that there are enough funds
available to accomplish this, while the OSE argues that current wages for state
employees are fair and competitive.