Foley Echoes DeStefano's Call To Review Binding Arbitration For Municipal Workers

When it comes to the high cost of labor contracts, Tom Foley feels John DeStefano’s pain.

At least that’s what the Republican candidate for governor (pictured) signaled in a campaign stop in New Haven Monday. Searching for ways to save cities money, Foley said the state should take a look at a state law mandating binding arbitration for municipal unions.

Foley made the remarks on Crown Street, just two weeks before he faces Democratic candidate Dan Malloy at the polls. Foley held an impromptu press conference on the sidewalk near 261 Crown St., where he had hoped to grab a bite at Louis’ Lunch. The legendary burger joint is closed on Mondays, so he went burger-less.

Foley said the issue came up in a breakfast meeting last week with Mayor John DeStefano about a range of priorities for New Haven. Foley met at Yale President Rick Levin’s Hillhouse Avenue residence with the mayor as well as local business leaders.

Foley said he made a commitment to “better communication” with cities and towns and to help them reduce costs, if he’s elected.

“A lot of the mandates that the state legislature puts on cities and towns drive up their costs,” he said. “We want to look at all of those” to see where cities can get relief.

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