TRAINEE CLASSES and PERSONAL LEAVE
Are you an ACT or CCT?  Please be aware that ACT's and CCT's now are granted 3 days of Personal Leave after successfully completing 6 months of service.  This is a recent change to our contract. Prior to this, persons in trainee classes did not qualify for PL days until they had completed their working test period, which could be up to two years.
(Contract language Article 18, Section 6)

VACATION ACCRUAL and BREAKS IN STATE SERVICE
Do you have many years of state service?  During that time did you take break and leave state service only to return and begin and the entry level vacation accrual rates?  In our recently negotiated contract, we changed the rate of vacation accrual for those who left state service and subsequently returned to state service.  Under the new language of our contract, all state service counts towards the calculation of your vacation accrual rate, rather than just the time since your date of last hire.  This change is prospective only and not retroactive.  If you think this change impacts you, please contact HR about changing your accrual rate.  If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the A&R office at (860) 953 1316.
(Contract language Article 12, Section 7)

Looking for a position that requires the skills of an advocate, educator, and organizer?  You should become a union steward.

Union stewards advocate for their colleagues in the workplace, making sure all employees receive fair and appropriate treatment in all aspects of their work.  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 organizing individuals into a vocal, active union that can advocate for necessary change and improvements to the state workplace.

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 and sisters may make a great steward, please encourage them to apply.

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. For consideration of your application this year, please ensure you send this information by August 19, 2022.

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.

If you are selected for an interview we will contact you to arrange a time. Applicants must have completed their initial working test period prior to consideration.

The A&R Picnic will be in-person this year, our first "in-person" event since 2019!  This year our Summer Picnic will be held at La Bella Vista in Waterbury.  The event starts at 11:30 and the cost is $20 for active A&R members ($33 for Retirees). This year, in addition to an expanded menu, there will be free beer, wine, and soda!  Of course we will also have music, games, and raffle prizes to keep everyone entertained.

The deadline for online or walk-in registration is August 15, the deadline for mail-in registration is August 12

To register online using a credit/debit card, follow this link

To register by mail with a check, complete this form and mail to A&R

Reminder: A&R members are entitled to use ½ day of leave time to attend the Union Picnic. Appropriate notice should be given to your agency, according to
Memorandum of Understanding III, Page 90 of the blue A&R Contract.

The menu for the picnic will consist of:
HAMBURGERS/CHEESE, HOT DOGS, RIB EYE STEAK SANDWICHES SERVED WITH PORTUGUESE ROLLS &
BUNS, FRIED LONG HOT PEPPERS, SAUTÉED SWEET PEPPERS & ONIONS, BBQ CHICKEN, CORN ON THE COB,
CHILLED PASTA SALAD, COLESLAW, MIXED GREEN SALAD, ASSORTED CONDIMENTS & DILL PICKLE SPEARS

Your July 1, 2022 paycheck will look a little different again; there happens to be 27 payperiods between July 1, 2021 and July 1, 2022.  Our medical premiums are divided across 26 payperiods, so at this point each of us have covered our annual costs for the fiscal year. As such, the July 1, 2022 paycheck will not have medical premiums deducted from this paycheck.

While we are on the subject of paychecks, the next 2.5% GWI will kick in on July 1, 2022.  This increase will begin on July 1 but won't be reflected in your paycheck until July 29^th (the July 1 thru July 14 payperiod will be paid on July 29)...the July 29^th paycheck will also include the $1000 lump sum. 

Those trying to keep this all straight:

• the June 17 paycheck contained the GWI/Step increases from 2021 + $2500
• the July 1 paycheck will not have medical premiums withheld
• the July 15 paycheck will include any backpay from the 2021 GWI and Step increases
• the July 29 paycheck will include the next 2.5% GWI + $1000
• the January 27, 2023 paycheck will include a Step increase from December 30, 2022
• retirees: your backpay will be reflected in your August pension payment.

FRIDAY 6/17 UPDATE

We are aware of at least two agencies that are addressing paycheck errors. At DRS many employees did not have their Top Step Payments processed, and at DOI some rate increases were not effected. We also have sporadic reports of isolated errors from other agencies. In each of the instances we are aware of, the agency has committed to correcting the errors by the next paycycle.

If you suspect your paycheck is inaccurate, please notify your HR department to correct the discrepancy. 

If you have questions about the paycheck, please feel free to contact the union office via phone (860 953 1316) or via email directed to one of the A&R Officers or to the general email address of office@andr.org.

- posted 6/17

We understand that there are many questions and that there may be a few isolated problems regarding the recent paycheck.  The State is looking into a few of the potential issues. 

• If you suspect your paycheck is inaccurate, please notify your HR department to correct the discrepancy. 
• If you have questions about the payout, please feel free to contact the union office via phone (860 953 1316) or via email directed to one of the A&R Officers or to the general email address of office@andr.org.