We wanted to share an Op-Ed piece that appeared in the Stamford Advocate.  It was written by our brother Xavier Gordon from AFSCME Local 269.  This is about state employee pensions and stands as a counter-balance to the typical narrative that demonizes public sector pensions...thank you for writing this Xavier!

As a Connecticut state employee and taxpayer, I feel that public service workers are among Connecticut’s greatest assets — and among the most unfairly vilified.

From teachers to sanitation workers to first responders, we care for our children, plow our roads, help the jobless and the poor

It is with a heavy heart that we recognize the courage and professionalism exhibited by the employees responding to and working the scene of the tragic plane crash at Bradley Airport this week.  Many of these professionals are our union brothers and sisters.  During this time of extreme stress for our colleagues, we wanted to let them know that we at A&R are thinking of them and we ask the entire membership to keep these courageous professionals in their thoughts this week.

- 10/4/19

You may have noticed that your dues assessment increased by 23 cents in your most recent paycheck; the increase is by AFT national, which we are constitutionally required to pass along.  There are no increases from AFT Connecticut and dues directly supporting A&R, Local 4200 have remained at the same rate for decades (.40/$100 income). 

We have 3 upcoming events for October:

October 13:  Foxwoods Casino - we typically run this trip to Foxwoods twice per year, everyone that goes knows this is a no lose gamble.   The "freebies" cover the $20 cost of the trip; there is a $15 meal voucher and a $15 slot machine voucher...that's $30 to cover a cost of a $20 trip...we still have space available for anyone who wants to go (view flyer)

October 19:  Salem, MA - (Sold Out) Halloween is always a good time to return to the town where witchcraft was put on trial.  This is not just a tour for Salem, MA, this is an event throughout the town (view flyer)

October 25:  Dave Reilly Comedy Show/Fundraiser for Our Companions - A&R is supporting a fundraiser for Our Companions Animal Rescue and Sanctuary.  The fundraising event will be held at the Gallery in Glastonbury on a Friday night and is being led by our Social Cmte chair Rhonda Salvatore...there will be food, raffle prizes, music by Steps & Sounds (South Windsor, CT), and a comedy show featuring Dave Reilly...if you’ve never seen comedian Dave Reilly, this is a treat.  We expect it to be an entertaining night, so we hope u will come out and enjoy it.  Tickets are $40 but are being sold directly through the charity event via paypal or check, view the flyer for specific payment options.

November 10: Radio City Christmas Spectacular - the biggest holiday show, on the biggest stage, in the biggest city...they call it the "Spectacular" for a reason.  Tickets for the show and travel are $114 each (view flyer)

The CT Society of Governmental Accountants is holding their annual seminar on October 10 and 11 at the Farmington Club (in Farmington).  For those interested, the A&R contract article 31 allows for time and costs to attend professional seminars such as this.  For registration and information on this event, please visit their website.

The Comptroller's Office has release two memoranda related to the 3% Retiree Healthcare contributions (also refered to as OPEB or OPE2 or OPE15).

For those who started working for the State in July, August, or September of 2009, it is most likely that your 3% contributions will be ending soon (unless there was a delay in starting the payments or there were gaps in service).  There is not yet an "automatic" trigger to remove the contribution so this needs to be monitored as your end date approaches.  To help individuals know when their 10 years of payments have concluded, CORE-CT has added a