-3/10/23

The unions of SEBAC prevailed at an arbitration on "Pandemic Pay".  Funding was set aside a couple of years ago for those employees who were required to report to their work site to meet the needs of the State during the "Stay home, Stay Safe" period declared by the Governor.  This funding was a combination of State and Federal funds specifically to compensate employees for  the added COVID risk they were subjected to while keeping State government operational.  There was already a program for private-sector workers in the same fashion which excluded State employees.

The arbitration was about how best to allocate the available funds to the employees impacted; there was not a question of whether Pandemic Pay was available but rather how would that Pandemic Pay be distributed to the employees who could not be assigned to 100% Telework during the Stay Safe/Stay Home period.  The State and the Unions could not agree on the proper allocation formula and ultimately the arbitrator made the decision after hearing from both parties.

This arbitration award still needs legislative approval (requiring a 2/3 vote to veto this however)

Here are the basics of the arbitration award: 

• The period of time considered the "Stay Home/Stay Safe" period are the 53 weeks between March 20, 2020 and March 27, 2021 (this is the period of time that will be evaluated for Pandemic Pay)

• All employees on the payroll as of 9/15/2022 or who retired prior to that date are eligible for this (those who left State service but did not retire are not eligible).

• Only hours actually worked qualify for the calculation (unless you had COVID for more than 3 consecutive weeks during that time-frame)

• There are two levels of compensation High Risk & Low Risk work.  Within those 2 groups there is compensation for "Regular" hours of work and then additional compensation for Overtime hours (if you earned CompTime, those are still overtime hours and they count towards the Overtime formula).

High Risk employees (employees who were first responders, worked in congregate settings, or worked in a healthcare facility).

For employees in the High Risk environment the Pandemic Pay formula is as follows:  $250 for the first 180hrs of Regular work and an additional $136 for each 100hrs of Regular work beyond that (must reach that 180hrs to qualify).
The High Risk Overtime formula is: $270 for the first 200hrs of OT and then an additional $136 for each 100hrs of OT above that (must reach that 200hrs of OT to qualify).

Low Risk employees (are all other employees who were required to work in person).

For employees in the Low Risk environment the Pandemic Pay formula is as follows:  $125 for the first 180hrs of Regular work and an additional $68 for each 100hrs of Regular work beyond that (must reach that 180hrs to qualify).
The Low Risk Overtime formula is: $135 for the first 200hrs of OT and then an additional $68 for each 100hrs of OT above that (must reach that 200hrs of OT to qualify).

View the Language Governing Pandemic Pay

View the Arbitration Award

View the SEBAC-provided FAQs

For those who are curious, there has been just over 4500 retirements from State Service so far in 2022 (January 1 thru July 1, 2022); this includes 470 from A&R.  Most of those retirements occured on April 1 & July 1.  We would like to thank all 470 A&R retirees for their years of service and dedication to the people of CT and we wish them well in the next phase of their life.

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.

We want to remind members of what to expect in their paychecks and how the year one & year two monies of the successor contract are to be implemented.  If you note an error, notify your HR rep immediately.

June 17 Paycheck:

• $2500 Lump Sum
• 2.5% GWI
  • year 1 rate increase kicks in, associated back pay expected in July 15 check
• *Step increase/Top Step Payments
  • this is the year 1 step increase, associated back pay is expected in the 7/15 check

July 15 Paycheck:

• Backpay on year one GWI (2.5% from 7/1/21 thru 5/19/22)
• *Backpay on the year one Step Increase (12/31/21 thru 5/19/22)
  • *assumes January anniversary date

July 29 Paycheck:

• $1000 Lump Sum
• 2.5% GWI (year 2 increase kicks-in on time)

December 30 Paycheck:

• Step increase/Top Step Payments (year 2 on-time / assumes January anniversary)

- posted 6/15

As you may already be aware, the Comptroller's Office has awarded Aetna the right to administer the Retiree Medicare Advantage Plan - to be the Plan Administrator for retiree health benefits.  This change will in no way impact benefits under the plan.  No changes to doctors.  No changes to network.  No financial impact to retirees.  The plan will cost the State about $130 million less per year, the result of competitive bidding, with no impact to retiree benefits.  Collective bargaining provided SEBAC the opportunity to review the changes, and to voice labor's opinion about the changes at the

Contract Wage Adjustments:

June 17 Paycheck: the $2500 Lump Sum along with the 2.5% GWI and any Step/TopStepPayment will be reflected in this paycheck.

July 15 Paycheck: will reflect all of the backpay for the 2.5% (from July 1 through May 19th) as well as the backpay for the Step Increase (December 31 through May 19th) [the increase from May 20 through June 3rd will be reflected in the June 17 paycheck]. 

July 29 Paycheck: will reflect the next 2.5% increase as well as the $1000 Lump Sum (these will therefore be made on-time).

Telework Schedule Requests:
Reminder, if you wish to Telework between July and December of 2022, you need to submit a Telework Schedule in May (the generic rule is that Telework Schedules need to be requested twice per year, 30 to 60 days prior to July and January).

• To submit a Telework Schedule Request use this webpage
• If your request is denied, you may use this webpage to submit an appeal

NOTE: DOT and DSS employees: although the resolution from the Labor Board does not require all employees of these agencies to re-submit a Telework Schedule Request, we STRONGLY encourage you to do so anyway based upon the past/recent conduct of these agencies in following and interpreting Telework agreements.

Healthcare Open Enrollment:
Reminder that the Healthcare Open Enrollment is occuring right now.  If you wish to make changes to your medical or dental plan for next year, you need to do it before May 27, 2022.  Changes can be made in CORE-CT or by submitting the CO-744A form.  If you have a dependent child over age 19 who was removed from the dental plan, you can now add them back on the plan until age 26, this is new!  You will need their SS# and a copy of their birth certificate.

View the Healthcare Options available to you, please visit the OpenEnrollment web portal here.
View the Medical/Dental Comparisons
View the Medical/Dental Bi-weekly Deductions
View the 2022 HEP Requirements

Social Events:

A&R has lined up several activities for 2022 hoping to bring everyone back together.  Below are a number of events we have lined up so far, hope to see you all at these events soon!

August 6 - Saratoga Races    flyer    register online
August 26 - A&R Summer Picnic at La Bella Vista in Waterbury   flyer    register online
September 24 - SOLD OUT! Yankees/RedSox at Yankee Stadium    flyer
November 20 - Radio City Christmas Spectacular     flyer    register online
December 2 - A&R Holiday Party at the Aquaturf (in-person!)     registration is not open yet
December 3 - Do Your Own Thing New York City (registration is not open yet)

Masks Recommended:
The CT Department of Public Health is recommending that masks be worn in all State buildings.  This is not a requirement, however, the COVID numbers are on the rise and pre-cautions are being recommended by DPH.