Unions: Gov. trying to scare older workers
Source: By Katherine Gregg, Providence Journal (RI), Wednesday, January 30, 2008
.......... While most of yesterday's testimony centered on Carcieri's attempts to cut employee benefits, the hearing also provided a forum for Carcieri's top legal adviser, Kernan F. King, to argue for the repeal of what he characterized as an "anti-privatization" law passed last year.
Defenders say the new law simply requires the administration to do a detailed cost-benefit analysis before it hires a private company to do work now done by state employees, but King said the law would stretch a routine contract award out over three years and give new opportunities to sue to anyone potentially affected by a privatization.
.... But James Cenerini, lobbyist for Council 94, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, told the committee that "Carcieri's track record on privatization does not warrant blind trust or a blank check."