-2/27/26

I know it has been a while since our last update, so let's get caught up.  We have met with the State several times over the last few weeks and we are so very close to an agreement. Right now we have one "ask" on the table (that the State should agree to) and the State has one ask on the table and there is one contentious issue that was lingering but i believe is resolved but not yet officially conveyed to us.  We will meet with the State again on Wednesday and hopefully we can wrap this up.

If we do get everything finalized, we will first take a vote at the Negotiations Cmte.  If the

Every year, A&R awards scholarships to qualifying children of A&R/AFT Local 4200 members or children of former A&R members who are now members of the A&R Retiree Chapter.

Ten scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each will go to 2026 high school graduates or seniors who have been accepted to and will be entering a post-secondary educational institution.  These are one-time only awards.

Five awards in the amount of $1,500 each will go to post secondary students who are continuing their education.  The continuing student awards are also one-time only, but the recipient may previously have received

UPDATE 1/26/26:  It appears that most agencies are shutting down all non-essential operations including any telework.  If your agency has given notification that teleworkers do not need to telework then follow that directive as you would follow any other management directive.  

After 24hrs of snow-mageddon, the A&R office will be closed on Monday 1/26/26.  We may be accessible via email.  Hopefully we will re-open Tuesday morning.

Governor Lamont has closed all offices so non-essential employees should not report to their office.

Remember: if it is an in-office day they you can decide if you wish to telework or not.

If it is a telework day then the expectation is that you telework as you normally would.

-1/22/26

Wanted to let everyone know that there has been some movement on the A&R Contract.  This week we were able to discuss with the State an acceptable wage package that we think could be the basis/path to a full contract agreement.  We are not close on the details beyond the basic framework for wage increases but, let's face it, wage increases and telework are the most important pieces and have been the main hindrance to attaining an agreement for A&R.  We will be meeting with the State a couple of times this week/next week and hopefully we can start coming to terms on the finer details

-1/22/26

Snow Days/Office Closings

It’s winter and we can expect some snowy conditions over the next few months so we just wanted to give a quick reminder on how to operate on snow days.

• First, if you are scheduled to telework, then your day is a normal day regardless of whether offices are closed to the public or a delayed opening or early closing occurs.
• If you are scheduled “in-office” on a snowy day, then you have an extra hour to arrive at the office without using your accrued time. If "exceptional" conditions exist, then an extra 1.5 hours are allowed in addition to the 1 hour (Article 16

We can confirm that the State Employee pension fund hit its target goal of a 6.9% return rate and therefore employees in the Tier 4 Pension plan will avoid the 2% surcharge from July 1, 2026 thru June 30, 2027.   We do not have the precise return rate but it is above the 6.9% target so the 'risk-share' assessment will not be imposed.

Quick update on Contract Negotiations: one of our sister unions CEUI Local 511 (generally referred to as "the maintainers") has come to an agreement on their contract.  Their agreement includes a 2.5% GWI + steps for 3 years (retroactive to July 1, 2025).  Although