PL TIME - USE IT OR LOSE IT

PL time expires at the end of the year.  This applies to all PL time, including time awarded as part of the "Rowland Lawsuit".  If you received PL time as part of the settlement, be aware that this time will expire at the end of the year. 

"Rowland Lawsuit" PL time expires 12/31/16 as does all other PL time

This does NOT apply to any vacation time awarded as a result of the lawsuit.   Vacation time awarded will be:

"in the form of permanent SEBAC vacation time.  Your award will be converted to such permanent vacation time at your current rate of pay and will appear on CORE by a special SEBAC vacation designation.  Permanent SEBAC vacation days can be carried over without limit until you leave state employment and can be used at any time or can be saved until you leave employment.  The value of those vacation days will increase as your pay rate increases.  You will be paid for those vacation days at your then-current rate of pay when you use them (or redeem them upon leaving state service)."

posted 12/8/16

For several months, the A&R Negotiations team has been working diligently to arrive at a negotiated settlement with the State.  However, experience has shown that the State is unwilling to make progress in contract negotiations.  The State continues to insist on wage freezes, the elimination of most benefits of your contract language, and to vastly restrict and/or entirely eliminate Alternative Work Schedules (AWS). 

A&R is not alone in its frustration at the bargaining table.  The State has had a year to negotiate over a dozen contracts, yet hasn't settled a single one.  This is not an

As the Governor attempts to put together his biennel budget, he requested that the Unions informally meet with budget director Ben Barnes.  The unions did meet and listen to Ben Barnes presentation on the future budget problems.  It appears, the Governor suddenly realizes he isn't going to Washington and he may need to work with labor.  The parties will meet again and hopefully have some positive discussions, we will report out any developments if they occur.

posted 11/23/16

11/22/16

Governor Malloy is preparing his 2-yr budget proposal which will be unveiled in February 2017.  In advance of the Biennial Budget announcement the Governor has asked all agencies to submit a proposal to acheive a 10% reduction in their budget.

These Agency proposals are merely that: proposals.  The Governor may use these proposals as guidance and certainly these can be influential when the Governor creates his budget recommendations but these proposals are not actual changes.  Further, it is the General Assembly which will actually craft the budget using the Governor's budget proposal

11/21/16

A&R is operating under a contract "extension" agreement with the State.  This means the language of our contract continues to apply, however, no "new" money is provided. 

Our contract ended on June 30, 2016 and therefore did not require any State funds to be added for Tuition Reimbursement  nor towards Professional Development/Conferences for July 1, 2016.  Since no "new" money was added to these funds, we are now operating only on  the remaining "carry-over" funds from the prior contract year.

The Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development programs are administered and funded by

A&R member Valerie Seery is a License Application Analyst working at the DOT's Regulatory & Compliance Unit.  Valerie's commitment to public service goes well beyond the realm of DOT.  In her "spare time", this wife and mother of two is known as Lieutenant Colonel Valerie Seery.

Lieutenant Colonel Seery has been active in the Connecticut Army National Guard for 27 years in addition to 2 years of active duty with the Army. Among her many assignments, LTC Seery served on post at the U.S. Embassy, Baghdad while deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004-2005).  Valerie has served her military career with distinction, receiving numerous awards and decorations, including: 

• Meritorious Service Medal
• Joint Service Commendation Medal
• Army Achievement Medal
• Army Good Conduct Medal
• Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals (8)
• National Defense Service Medals (2)
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M device
• Army Service Ribbon
• Overseas Service Ribbon
• CT Long Service Ribbon (25 years)
• CT Veterans Wartime Service Medal
• Dept of State Meritorious Honor Award

A&R is proud to call LTC Valerie Seery one of our own.

Complete bio/Iraq deployment photo

Have a member in mind for the spotlight?  Please let us know.