A Question on Public Contracts

I understand that arbitration is a wildcard that Rhode Island officials might not wish to risk, but something about the latest deal — as with previous deals — worked out with public sector union leadership brings into relief the practices that have gotten our state into its current difficulties:

Council 94's new agreement — like the original proposal — would provide no pay increases in the first year, but include raises of 2.5 percent, 3 percent and 3 percent in the subsequent years.

We certainly shouldn't take the attitude that public employees should never get raises, but on what grounds does our floundering government promise to pay almost 9% more for its workforce in four years?