Wow.

Wow, what a night. I’m still processing the whole thing, and its hard to believe we have a tentative agreement. I can honestly and without reservation believe that the tentative agreement (TA) I signed last night is the very best deal we could get, given the state’s financial constraints, and three other unions bargaining simultaneously. I also believe with the same resolve that going on strike would not secure us a better deal. Take a look at the executive summary just published and see what you think. Taken as a whole, I think you will find that it is the best deal for the most people, for want of a better phrase. Thanks so much to everyone for their support in a journey that has taken nearly 500 days to complete. I must single out three people: Jim Clark, Kristi Brownfield, and W Doc Stodden. Without them, we wouldn’t have a union, let alone a contract. Their patience and good humor was an example that I didn’t always live up to. The electronic version of the TA will be out soon, for more details.