A couple of things happened just before we all began our holiday weekend: First, Ben Barnes released an unsigned letter to Comptroller Lembo, State Treasurer Nappier, Sal Luciano (VP of AFL-CIO and Exec Dir of AFSCME), and Mark Waxenburg (Exec Dir CT Education Association) requesting a public forum to debate the various competing pension funding proposals.  The Governor has requested this meeting be held on March 15.  Holding a public forum is an odd request and it is uncertain as to whether the request will be fulfilled.  Regardless, union presidents will be meeting with Comptroller Lembo

updated 2/9/16

House Bill 5057

Why would any legislator recommend that constituents of their state have their salaries lowered, their expenses increased, their health insurance restricted, and their long-term financial security eliminated? Read the names of the legislators on this bill.  These are examples of the "bad apple's" that shouldn't be re-elected under any circumstance.

This is their toy, but this is our livelihood.

We will be tracking the bills and letting you know what your Rep/Senator has done on your behalf relating to your livelihood.  If you like what they do, support them this

In the Governor's State of the State address he referred to the various union leaders as his partner. We want to make a few things clear: 

Frst, we are not his partner!  Despite his claims, the Governor did NOT contact any of the Union presidents regarding his budget plans (nor did his staff).  This was political terrorism.  He walked into the General Assembly and blasted us without warning…not something you do to a partner.  He didn't share his plan or consult with any union officials prior to his speech.  He is not our partner, nor are we his.   The governor’s ambush successfully galvanized

The Governor's address to the General Assembly opened the 2016 Legislative Session.  The Governor made his budget proposal which targeted State Employees in several ways, including layoffs. 

There have been quite a number of articles and responses given thus far (some of which are attached below).  A&R is not hitting the panic button at this point.  We are going to hold true to our plan: re-engage and stay in touch with our local General Assembly members.  The Governor gives his budget to the Legislature, but the Legislature doesn't have to accept it.  We seek to work with the General Assembly

The University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association came to a contract agreement with the University in late December.  The members voted in favor of the contract 3:1 in mid January and the University's Board of Trustee's approved the contract last week.  While it is good to see a contract move forward, this agreement has limited cross-over for A&R for many reasons.  Foremost, UCPEA negotiates with the University, they do not negotiate with the State in the same manner that we engage the State.  Our negotiations are tied directly to the Governor's/Legislature's personnel costs

The 2016 General Assembly session opens Wednesday Feb 3 and the Governor will present his budget to the legislature.  The "leaked" budget (there are no accidental leaks) calls for layoffs and collective bargaining gains (page 27 of the pdf numbered as page 30...my apologies for the awful copy attached here).

The Governor is going to throw his budget ideas into the lap of the Legislature and it will be up to us to make sure our Legislator's hear us and see us.  We didn’t hire ourselves, we do the jobs they have asked us to do for the betterment of the State.

To start us on the path of re