Service Ratings are due by the end of September (no need to remind anyone to do your rating, just know they are due).  Here are a few key points regarding the Service Ratings, more details can be found in the A&R Contract under Article 10:

• You must sign it even if you don’t agree with the rating, signing it is not agreement.  It is your contractual obligation to acknowledge that it was given to you.  
• If your ratings are all Satisfactory or better, then you cannot grieve the ratings.
• If your ratings are all Satisfactory or better, then it is up to you whether you want to accept the

We have several vacancies in the steward ranks due to the recent retirement wave. We are looking for the next generation of union stewards to step forward to protect and serve our fellow members. The time to apply is now and we welcome your application. If you think one of your union brothers/sisters may make a great steward, please tell them and encourage them to apply.

Applications are welcome from any agency. Our greatest current needs are it at DRS, DAS, DESPP, DMV, OPM, and DEEP, (both Hartford and PURA in New Britain).

Union stewards advocate for their colleagues in the workplace, making sure all employees fairly and fully benefit from our rights under our A&R contract.  Stewards also educate fellow members about important notices and contract updates, while making sure managers are educated about employee rights.  Stewards play a key role in signing up new members and in organizing members into a vocal, active union that can advocate for necessary change and improvements to the state workplace.

Applicants for a union steward position should send: 1) a cover letter; (2) a résumé; and (3) the names and phone numbers of two A&R members in the applicant’s agency who will serve as character references. Please send your application either by email to plamb@andr.org or by mail, attention Patrick Lamb, Chief Steward at A&R, 805 Brook Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.

We have become aware that an email is circulating amongst the staff at DRS requiring A&R union members attending the upcoming Professional Development seminar to justify in writing to their supervisor how the seminar relates to the employee's job assignment, in order to have the leave approved.  The requirement DRS is imposing misses the fact that the seminar, which is being sponsored by A&R, has long ago received all necessary approvals from the Office of Labor Relations.  We developed the seminar's framework with the explicit intent and understanding that it be applicable and beneficial to all of A&R's white collar professional titles. It is under these circumstances and mutual understanding that OLR gave its nod of approval.

It is our strong belief and understanding that the seminar's framework, and how it affirmatively relates to each and every A&R job title, has already been approved by OLR.  We feel it is inappropriate for agencies or supervisors to be second guessing this.

Rest assured, if you signed up to attend the Professional Development seminar sponsored by A&R, by virtue of your A&R title, you qualify to attend:

DO NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE INTIMATED!

DON'T LET ANYONE DEPRIVE YOU OF YOUR CONTRACTUAL BENEFITS

IF THE AGENCY PERSIST IN THIS MADNESS, SUBMIT A REQUEST SUCH AS:

• "TO ATTEND A&R PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR AS APPROVED BY OLR"

Please note that you do need to provide your supervisor at least three weeks advance written notice if you intend to utilize professional leave time to attend.

Please contact us if you have any questions or are experiencing any issues related to this or any other contract right.

-posted 9/22

A&R is aware that some agencies are notifying employees that "your union" will reimburse you for In-Service training...that is incorrect!  In-service training is covered by the agency or not at all.  The A&R Professional Development Fund is not utilized to support in-service training and there is nowhere near the amount of funding available needed to cover the costs of in-service training for our 3,000 members.  This means that you will NOT be reimbursed!!!  If you are signing up for In-Service training, your agency must approve the class and cover the costs or it is out of pocket, but it is not supported by A&R Prof Dev Funds.  Any agency that made this claim is expected to make a correction.

The A&R COPE committee (chaired by Lew Button) endorses candidates in every election year.  In CT, odd years mean "local elections".  This year, A&R is again seeking to endorse candidates running for local office who are committed to supporting working families and the collective bargaining process. A&R, typically, does not make numerous endorsements in local elections however, we generally like to support our own A&R members seeking elected office.  If you are seeking a local office and would like an endorsement from A&R you must complete/submit our Endorsement Application by our September 17th deadline.

Download the Endorsement form for A&R Members

Download the Endorsement form for non-A&R Members

-8/21/23

Members who are enrolled in the Health Enhancement Plan and have one of the defined "chronic conditions" and completed all of the annual requirements within the calendar year of 2022 will be receiving their $100 payment in their September 9 paycheck (all requirements must have been completed DURING the calendar year to qualify for the $100 payment).

As a reminder to everyone: in order to remain on the HEP you must complete certain healthcare exams during a calendar year (exams are listed below, the frequency of the exams is age/gender dependent so not every exam needs to be