Labor Unions Speak Out After Gov. Lamont Vetoes Strike Benefits Bill: Report

CONNECTICUT — Labor union officials are speaking out after Governor Ned Lamont recently vetoed a bill intended to provide support to striking workers.

WTNH News 8 reports Lamont vetoed House Bill 5413, which would provide unemployment-like benefits to striking unionized workers, on June 6.

In response, Connecticut AFL-CIO and Connecticut State Council of Machinists officials sent statements to media criticizing the governor's decision.

Connecticut AFL-CIO President Ed Hawthorne said Lamont "failed to hear the voices of thousands of working people" who urged him to stand with striking workers.

"The governor had a choice: stand with corporate CEOs or stand with working people. Unfortunately, he chose corporate CEOs," Hawthorne said in a statement. "This legislation would have given countless private sector workers a fair shot to negotiate a living wage and affordable benefits. Similar laws have been on the books in New York and New Jersey for years. Those laws have not made it more likely for workers to go on strike or stay out longer. It has simply helped working people put food on the table and pay their rent. In fact, nine other states are looking to pass similar legislation."

Hawthorne also noted he and his team would continue to work with Lamont to find ways to support striking workers.

"Despite the governor's veto, we are incredibly grateful to House Speaker [Matt] Ritter, Senate President [Martin] Looney, House Majority Leader [Jason] Rojas, Senate Majority Leader [Bob] Duff and all the legislators who stood with working people and helped pass this critical legislation."

Patrick Buzzee, president of the Connecticut State Council of Machinists, said his union members "worked tirelessly to get this legislation passed" but will continue to fight for their members and all working people across Connecticut.

"The over 10,000 active and retired members of the Connecticut State Council of Machinists are very disappointed that Gov. Lamont vetoed this legislation after being pressured by corporate executives, even though he has supported workers many times in the past," Buzzee said in a statement. "Just like they do at the bargaining table, corporations made threats and leveraged their resources to try to get their way. As a union who has seen this playbook before, we know how to stand up for working people facing off with a multi-billion-dollar company."

Read the full WTNH News 8 story here.