Governor Rell: Collective Bargaining Expert Hired to Help

 Identify Ways to Reduce State Government Labor Costs

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the Office of Policy and Management has retained Saranne P. Murray, a partner in the law firm of Shipman and Goodwin, to assist the State in dealing with the State Employees’ Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) regarding the labor costs associated with Connecticut government.

            Murray is recognized as a leading authority on public sector collective bargaining. She has extensive experience representing public and private sector employers and non-profit organizations in employee relations and employment law, personnel policies and practices, equal employment opportunity, collective bargaining and related matters.

            “Connecticut is not immune to the effects of the national economic slump and the projected budget deficits we face over the next two years – nearly $6 billion – demonstrate that very clearly,” Governor Rell said. “Closing that budget shortfall will be an enormously difficult task and we hope the state employee unions will be part of the solution.

            “Attorney Murray’s knowledge and experience will be extremely valuable as we work with SEBAC to identify ways to reduce the cost of government,” the Governor said. “I look forward to a constructive dialogue with all of our partners, including State employees who are on the front-line of government. They are public servants who perform valuable service to our citizens each and every day.”

            Murray is counsel to a number of Connecticut municipalities and serves as special counsel to the State of Connecticut, where she has worked with the State Board of Education and the state's Division of Criminal Justice.  Murray has also served as a labor relations specialist for the State of Connecticut and as assistant to the president of Manchester Community College.