During a recent Middletown City Council meeting, union representatives voiced strong concerns regarding the council's decision to deny compensation adjustments for city employees classified as \"out of class.\" The discussions highlighted the ongoing frustrations of labor unions, particularly AFSCME Local 466 and OPSEU, over what they perceive as a failure to honor previously negotiated agreements.

Union leaders, including Jim Santoro, vice president of Local 466, emphasized that many employees have been performing duties beyond their official classifications for extended periods—some for over two years—without appropriate compensation. Santoro criticized the council's August 5th vote against increasing pay for these positions, calling it \"shocking and shameful.\" He argued that the council's decision disregarded recommendations from the city's Human Resources department and the labor management committee, which had previously agreed on the need for these adjustments.

Harry Byrd, another city employee, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of retaining skilled workers who are currently overburdened due to staffing shortages. He warned that failure to address compensation could lead to losing valuable employees to other job opportunities.

The meeting also touched on the broader implications of the council's actions, with union representatives asserting that denying these compensation changes could lead to legal challenges. They cited the Connecticut Department of Labor's guidelines on collective bargaining, which mandate good faith negotiations regarding employee compensation and conditions.

The unions are urging the council to reconsider its stance and approve the proposed compensation changes, arguing that fair pay is essential for maintaining morale and retaining talent within the city workforce. As the council continues to deliberate on these issues, the unions remain committed to advocating for their members' rights and fair treatment.