Masks:  the Governor has issued Executive Order 7BB, which orders that face-masks be worn whenever social-distancing can't be maintained in a public setting; that includes state office buildings.  Employees who report to an office can either make their own mask or receive one from their agency.  Each agency has a limited supply of masks available for distribution but they should be available to all employees who report to the office.  Masks are difficult to purchase due to the high demand (easier to get than Lysol wipes, but still very difficult to purchase).  So do your best to maintain your mask.  The fabricated masks purchased by the State for employees are intended to last a week.  It is also recommended that you attempt to make your own cloth mask as it is pretty simple; a home-made cloth mask should be washed daily.

Dental Care and Healthcare: As we reported last month, our annual Healthcare Open Enrollment has been delayed until September 2020 (normally it would occur in May). The transition from UnitedHealthcare to Anthem will also be delayed and will not occur on July 1, 2020 as originally scheduled.  Further, the "aging" out of 19 year-old dependents will not occur until December 31, 2020.   So if you have a 19year-old dependent on your dental plan, they will be covered through the end of the calendar year.

COVID-19 Guidance Letter:  This is the latest OPM/DAS guidance letter.  It is simply the original guidance letter which has been updated and the associated Q&A continues to grow, if you have questions about your situation, please read through this.

Power of Attorney Form:  This is not intended to be morbid, just as an FYI.  There is a POA form granting retirement decisions to a designee if you feel the need to do so.  If you are in a situation where it makes sense to complete this form, please read it carefully before signing.

Your Sanity Check: 

Today is Wednesday April 22 (we also like to refer to it as Blursday March 53rd).
It is the 113th day of the year and there are 253 days left
It is the 17th Wednesday out of 53 in 2020
Today is Earth Day, National Girl Scout Leaders Day, and (of course) National Jelly Bean Day
On this day in 1914 Babe Ruth pitched his first professional game with the (then minor league) Baltimore Orioles before being signed by the Red Sox later that same year.
1978, the Blues Brothers debuted on SNL
1994, former President Richard Nixon passed away
 

Thank you to every member who voted in the 2020 A&R Elections and to those who encouraged others to vote as well!  The voting has closed and the results are in:

Uncontested Seats:

1st Vice President:  Mike Myles
2nd Vice President:  Janet Andrews
Secretary:  Lauren Hangland

Today's reminder from A&R...

Today is Wednesday, 4/15 (normally Tax Day, but not this year as Tax Day has been delayed). 

Today is however "National Take A Wild Guess Day"...

So in honor of a National Take A Wild Guess Day, we will fill a jar with jelly beans and we want A&R members to guess how many Jelly Beans are in the jar

-one guess per person (first guess will be counted if more than one is received)
-"closest to" will be the winner (NOT closest to without going over)
-winner must be an A&R member
-...it is Take A Wild Guess Day, so we won't tell you what kind of jar or what type of Jelly Bean...it is a "Wild Guess".....
-guessing ends 4/15 at 4:30...winner will be sent a modest Gift Card by mail.

TAKE A GUESS

Congrats to Mike Conway from DOE...he is our winner!

A&R's 37th Annual Convention will be held this Thursday, April 16th at the A&R offices.  Please note the change of venue.  The meeting will be held at 805 Brook Street, Building 4, Rocky Hill, CT.  The change of venue is due to the pandemic.

Two items are on the agenda for consideration by the membership.  The first item is the organization's annual budget, as presented by the Treasurer and having received prior approval of the Representative Assembly.  The second item is a member submitted resolution pertaining to dissemination of election rules and related documents.  Any member registered at the Convention may speak to these items.

Only formal business will be conducted.  No food or drink will be served.

It is anticipated that the Annual Convention will be relatively brief, with only two actionable items on the agenda.

In order to achieve social distancing requirements, the meeting will be held in the A&R parking lot and it is expected that no one needs to exit their vehicle to conduct business.

All active A&R members are welcome to attend.  A form of identification is needed to participate. 

The meeting begins promptly at 6:00pm.  Registration begins at 4:30pm.  To participate members must register prior to 6pm.

While cool weather is forecast, dry conditions are anticipated.

If weather conditions or crowd density warrant it, a plan is in place to allow members to participate in the democratic process from their vehicles.

The A&R Scholarship Awards Ceremony, normally a celebratory part of the Annual Convention, will not take place this year.  While foregoing the formal ceremony due to the pandemic, we are proud of our scholarship winners and their names will be posted here on the website.

Many have been home for a few weeks and every day has become what we now refer to as 'blursday'...in an effort to get everyone up to speed, A&R has decided to give you today's Public Service Announcement:

Today is Thursday April 9, 2020
It is the 100th day of the year.
There are 266 days left in 2020.
It is the 15th Thursday of the year.
It is the 22nd day of spring.
There are 165 days left until Summer ends.
It is Passover.
It is also Holy Thursday so the Catholic Church wants you to wash your feet today as well as your hands.
It is also National Unicorn Day (whatever that means).

That is today's Public Service Announcement...hang in there everyone....

COVID TELECOMMUTING
After the initial workplace disruption and ensuing chaos caused by covid19, things are finally settling down at most agencies.  Many employees have adjusted to a work-at-home situation for most days of the week, settling in to a productive routine and, in coordination with their managers and colleagues, getting the work of the state done.  We are still working to resolve some issues.  For example, many employees were initially categorized as "Intermittent", meaning that they had to report to the office to perform some "critical" function from within the agency building.  If you have been so designated, yet you have been able to perform the "critical" function remotely (or if the critical function is accomplished in some other fashion and your physical presence at the office is no longer required) then by all means please communicate directly with your management team and the reduced need for you to physically report to the agency.  Do this with your safety in mind, as well as the safety of your colleagues.  We are approaching the critical point in turning around this pandemic and continued social isolation is the key to stemming the increase of infection.  With the goal of defeating the virus, let's ensure we minimize social contact for just a bit longer.  If you do not need to physically report to the office, yet still are doing so needlessly, discuss this with your management team.

HEP – OPEN ENROLLMENT DELAYED
The Comptroller's Office announced that the Health Insurance Open Enrollment will be delayed until September 2020 and that the transition from UnitedHealthcare to Anthem will not begin until October 2020.

MEMBER CONTACT INFORMATION
The union has been reaching out to members via email during this crisis.  If you did not receive yesterday's email from A&R then please provide us with your email address and update your membership information by completing the online membership card

ANNUAL CONVENTION
The A&R Annual Convention has not been postponed.  It remains as scheduled: Thursday, April 16th at 6:00 pm, however it will be held at the union office and not at the Chowder Pot.  Our intent is to hold the convention in our parking lot where social distancing can be maintained.  Registration begins at 4:30.  All attendees must register by 6:00pm to participate in the Convention.  This will be a business only meeting with only 2 items on the agenda; as we anticipate a brief meeting, no meal will be provided.