Joint Committee on Employee Relations Accepts Fact Finder’s Reports on State Employee Contracts

Contact Name: Sara Persechino, Michael O’Brien

Phone: (603) 271-3479

Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us, Mike.B.Obrien@leg.state.nh.us

CONCORD - Today, the Joint Committee on Employee Relations voted to recommend approval of the recommendations contained in the fact-finder reports between the State of New Hampshire and seven collective bargaining units representing state employees. The report, which examined state employee contracts, has already been rejected by Governor Sununu and approved by the various state employee bargaining units.

After the vote, Speaker of the House Steve Shurtleff (D-Penacook) and Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) issued the following statements:

“The process is clear – the governor’s rejection of the fact-finder's reports and refusal to bring it to the full Council for a vote means the Legislature must now act on the reports. We hope the full Legislature follows suit to deliver a fair contract now for our hard working state employees,” said Speaker of the House Steve Shurtleff (D-Penacook).

“New Hampshire state employees have been left waiting for a contract and the state of New Hampshire owes it to them to move forward. During the last four years under Governor Sununu, state employees have been without a contract for almost half of that time, which is unacceptable. The lack of a fair contract is hurting our ability to retain and recruit workers. It is essential to come together as a Legislature and ensure a new contract for state employees,” added Senate President Donna Soucy (D-Manchester).

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