Agencies Warn of Looming Surge in Retirements

Several state agencies have notified governor elect Lamont that large swaths of the state workforce will likely retire within the next few years. The departures could result in a drain on institutional knowledge throughout state agencies as well having an impact on state finances, according to an article published by the Associate Press.

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Incoming Governor Appoints New OPM Secretary

Governor elect Ned Lamont has appointed Melissa McCaw as Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Secretary.  Ms. McCaw replaces outgoing OPM Secretary Ben Barnes.  The OPM Secretary, described by Lamont as one of the two most important positions within his administration, is responsible for overseeing the state budget.  OPM also oversees the office of labor relations (OLR) as it relates to that budget.    A&R welcomes incoming Secretary McCaw. 

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PAYCHECK REMINDER


In accordance with SEBAC 2017:

  • For individuals at top step, Top Step Payments will be included in the January 18, 2019 paycheck.  These individuals recieved a $1,000 lump sum payment in July of 2018.
  • For individuals not at top step, there will be no annual increment in Janaury 2019.  In lieu of the increment, these individuals receved a $2,000 lump sum payment in July of 2018.
  • All individuals will receive the 3.5% general wage increase in July 2019.

We are almost half way through the third year of our five year contract.  The contract expires June 30, 2021.  As a reminder, the wage pattern for the contract looks like this:

  • Yr 1: Wage freeze
  • Yr 2: Wage freeze
  • Yr 3: Hybrid year:
    • $1,000 lump sum plus Top Step Payment, or
    • $2,000 lump sum and no annual increment
    • No general wage increase
  • Yr 4: Wage increase of 3.5% plus Top Step Payment or Annual Increment (not delayed)
  • Yr 5: Wage increase of 3.5% plus Top Step Payment or Annual Increment (not delayed)

-posted 12/5/2018

 

A&R's 37th Annual Holiday Party

We look forward to seeing you this Friday at A&R's 37th Annual Holiday Party.  We have a few new items this year, we will have a 50/50 raffle to guess the number of Skittles in a bucket, each guess will be $2 (the best guess will get 50% of the proceeds while the other 50% will go to the United Labor Agency).  We will have a number of gift baskets and gift cards along with a 55" Samsung Smart TV to give away.  We will have door prizes for all attendees, a dance contest for extra raffle tickets and a photo booth near one of the bars.

Festivities begin this Friday, December 7th at noon at the Aqua Turf in Southington.  Lunch will be served at 1:00pm.

*****PLEASE BRING AN UNWRAPPED TOY WITH YOU TO THE HOLIDAY PARTY*****

Click here for a Union Made Toy List

We are conducting a toy drive at the Holiday Party in conjunction with the United Labor Agency.  The United Labor Agency Toy Drive directly benefits labor families in need.  Every year our labor family comes together to ensure that other families in need have a happier holiday season. It is a testament to the generosity of our labor family that as the need has grown, so has support for this event.

Did You Know:  The ability to attend the Holiday Party is a negotiated contract right governed by Memorandum of Understand III (page 90 of the Blue Book):

For the life of this agreement, employees of the A&R bargaining unit will continue to be eligible to receive one-half day off with pay to attend one annual picnic and one holiday party.  Said picnic and holiday party must be sponsored by the A&R Union or the employing agency of the employee.  Employees with Alternative Work Schedules, which would include the day of the event as a non-work day, may adjust their work schedule for the week in which the event is scheduled making the event a scheduled work day.

- posted 12/3

 

Telecommuting Mediation Conference Held

A mediation session was held to discuss implementing the telecommuting provision of the 2017 SEBAC agreement.  A&R along with representatives of several other SEBAC unions presented arguments before a mediator of how to best implement a telecommuting framework.  The state has been slow in offering any telecommuting programs, which is why mediation was sought.

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HOLIDAY PARTY - WALKIN DEADLINE EXTENDED

Image result for holiday party cheers

 

HOLIDAY PARTY REMINDER - DEADLINE EXTENDED

We have extended the deadline for walk-in payments at the A&R office to noon of Friday, November 30th.  Payment for tickets by mail must be to the office no later than Wednesday, November 28th so that we have a rough headcount.  If you have not already mailed your payments to the A&R office be certain to do so today (Wednesday) or at the latest Friday after Thanksgiving.  No tickets will be sold at the door. 

Festivities occur Friday, December 7th, beginning at noon, at the Aqua Turf in Southington.  Lunch will be served at 1:00pm.  View flyer

Saturday December 8th - the day after the party -  We still have seats available to the Do-Your-Own-Thing bus trip to New York City.  Enjoy the day in NYC anyway you like for just $31 per person. View Flyer

Remember: we are conducting a toy drive at the Holiday Party in conjunction with the United Labor Agency.  The United Labor Agency Toy Drive directly benefits labor families in need.

PLEASE BRING AN UNWRAPPED TOY WITH YOU TO THE HOLIDAY PARTY

Every year our labor family comes together to ensure that other families in need have a happier holiday season. It is a testament to the generosity of our labor family that as the need has grown, so has the support for this event.