Commissioner A. V. Bzdyra

Following a protracted protected hearing from which the public, the CIUW, USW Local 12000, and their attorney were excluded, DPUC Commissioner Amalia Vazquez Bzdyra allowed the layoff stay to expire despite pleas from Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and CIUW/USW Attorney William Gagne to continue it until the final decision is rendered. The Company did agree not to lay off any non-Union employees until the next hearing date, November 13, 2009, and it still must engage in effects bargaining with both unions before eliminating any positions. Meanwhile, it must supply information for 14 late file exhibits in the docket and continue negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement with the CIUW. It promises to be a busy November for management in Orange and East Hartford.