Paychecks:

• Congratulations everyone, we made an agreement with the State in 2017 which "backloaded" our current contract with consecutive 3.5% General Wage Increases and I am happy to report that we have now received both of those 3.5% GWIs.  The most recent GWI was effective on 6/19/2020 and will appear in your 7/16/2020 paycheck.  Step Increases and TopStepPayments will be made in January 2021.
• Also, many people will start to see the end of their 3% contribution to the Retiree Healthcare Trust Fund (also referred to as OPEB or RHTF).  Those who were hired between 7/1/2005 and 7/1/2009 began making contributions on 7/1/2010 (roughly, not exactly on that date).  This means the 10 years of contributions has expired (roughly) and the 3% payments will cease in this timeframe.  Those hired prior to 7/1/2005 did not start making payments until 7/1/2013 (roughly), so there are still 3 years (roughly) of payments remaining for this cohort.

HEP Compliance Requirements:

• HEP compliance requirements for 2020 have been suspended but not necessarily indefinitely. 
• Compliance requirements may be modified in the future
• We will provide updates as they develop

Health Insurance Changes:

• The Healthcare Open Enrollment period has been delayed to September, 2020 and the transition of all employees to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is delayed to October 1, 2020
• The delayed transition means that all employees, retirees and dependents will remain in the plan and with the carrier that they currently have -  with no changes - until October 1, 2020.  There will also be no change to medical/prescription or dental rates until that time.  Any open enrollment events previously scheduled for in person or online will be rescheduled.
• Increased annual costs to the plans (if any - plan costs fluctuate year-to-year) will be borne over 9 months (rather than 12) starting October 1^st.
• The transition from UnitedHealthcare to Anthem BC/BS will include a new, "less expensive" plan to choose from as well.  More details on the new plan are forthcoming.

Accretions

• For those titles accreted into A&R after May, 2019 (DOI, DOB, DOL, DOT) we are continuing the negotiations process. Clearly the COVID crisis halted normal routines, but we are now back to negotiating with the State.

Kronos:

• Although we are still pushing against Kronos, DCF has decided to forge forward with this expensive (and silly and unnecessary) time-tracking system.    Right now, only 4 agencies (DCF, DESPP, DVA, DOC) are planning to deploy this system.  DCF will launch on 7/17 while the other 3 agencies will deploy in October/November.  We are still working to limit the impact of Kronos to the membership and the SEBAC unions have sent a Cease and Desist demand to the State.  We will keep everyone informed of developments.

Mandatory COVID 19 Testing:

In the interests of safety, the state is implementing a limited mandatory COVID-19 testing program.  The initial focus is on agencies with direct care/custody responsibilities.  In a nutshell, testing can be required.  If an employee tests positive, they shall be placed on mandatory paid leave for 14 days.  An employee refusing testing shall be immediately placed on unpaid leave.
Click this link to see the two page detailed workplace agreement.

Joint Labor Management Principles Regarding COVID-19 Return to the Workplace

Agencies are slowly starting to bring employees back into the offices.  We recognize that the mission of our employer, to serve the needs of the citizens of Connecticut, must go on.  As employees, we insist that the employer provides us with a safe work environment.  Via SEBAC, the state worked with labor to develop principles regarding COVID-19 and returning to the workplace.  Foremost is the principle of Safety First.  It is the first principle listed.  The second principle listed is Telecommuting First (there are 18 items listed).  Agency staffing needs should preferably be met through volunteerism.  If staffing needs cannot be met by volunteerism, seniority shall be a controlling factor, should that become necessary.   The document also addresses social distancing guidelines, personal protective equipment, office suitability, and a variety of other topics related to workplace safety.  Remember this: Safety Firs!.  Telework First!
Click this link to see the two page Labor/Management Principles Regarding COVID-19 Return to the Workplace.   

Legislator Craig Fishbein, who represents Wallingford/Cheshire sent out a retweet this weekend that read:

"if you aren't setting fire to buildings...THEN YOU AIN"T BLACK". 

He has apologized for the insensitivity of the tweet, however, we are already familiar with Rep Fishbein.   His choice of which tweets he deems relevant doesn't surprise us.   We have trouble respecting any politician with such recurring failures of maturity and judgment.   In addition to having a fondness for bigoted tweets, he is also anti-union as he has filed multiple suits against unions in this state.   We knew his thoughts on unions, now we know his thoughts on race.  We don't know what else he is "anti-", but we do know that this guy should not be accepted by his colleagues in the Capitol.  To allow him to continue to be involved in crafting legislation on issues of justice and equality is an insult to the public and a disservice to the residents of Wallingford/Cheshire. 

Representative Fishbein should step down; he clearly doesn't represent, respect, or understand a large population of people in his district and has brought shame to the position he holds. 

There is a petition asking for his removal if you wish to send a message to Rep Fishbein.

Representative Fishbein, here is your class on sensitivity training and we can only hope you understand this (everyone should watch this tho...it is fantastic)...https://youtu.be/mXLS2IzZSdg

Admittedly, it is getting a bit confusing, but a new guidance is out...this guidance updates a few items related to leave time.  The gist is this:  if you have NOT taken the full 80hrs of LOPD (COVID related time), you can now access any of the time not taken for any of the acceptable reasons to utilize LOPD.  Further, you can access that time intermittently...this is a change b/c it was originally presented as a 14 day clock from the first day you accessed the time even if you didn't use it for 14 consecutive days; now it is an 80hr time "bank" that doesn't need to be taken in full-day

Quick update on the meeting with the Governor's staff.  It was as expected; the meeting was related to a request for contract adjustments to our July GWI.  The request however, went well beyond just a brief delay in the GWI...so it was a dud.  No further meetings scheduled, no counter-offer was made.  We will see if there is more, but right now, after 1 wage increase over 4 years in exchange for a $24billion savings deal for the State, this offer wasn't anything A&R was willing to entertain. 

A&R's 37th Annual Convention was held April 16th, 2020.  Despite the pandemic, great efforts were made to ensure our  organization continued its business and was ready to represent the interests of the membership.  Through extraordinary measures, social distancing was achieved while still allowing the democratic process to be maintained.  Members attending the convention never had to leave the relative safety of their cars, as measures were taken to allow them to electronically register for the convention upon arrival, and to remain in their cars for voting purposes.  A public address system was used to ensure anyone wishing to speak at the convention could be heard by all.

Thank you for all who were in attendance.  A&R leadership is committed to ensuring the best interests of the membership are served, especially during times of crisis such as the pandemic.

Access the photo album through this link

http://andr.ct.aft.org/ars-37th-annual-convention

To play the game:  follow this link to the registration page (this is so we can confirm that ONLY A&R members are eligible to win).  From the registration page you will need to select a "nickname"...this is VERY important that you remember your nickname when the game starts.

The Rules:

1) Register via the link above
2) From a "non-state" device, navigate to www.kahoot.it at 3:30 pm...(the game will be "locked" at 3:45 and the game will begin)
2)  Enter in the passcode listed on the Registration Page (from the link above)
3) Answer the 20 questions
HINT:  the questions are timed, so answering correctly quickly equals more points
4)  A&R will verify the top 3 winners are members and contact them for their prize
5) Enjoy and wait for the next competition to begin!