Some Reminders

Furlough Days

  • Furlough days must be taken prior to July 1st 2018
  • Furlough time is like PL time - use it or lose it...please don't call on July 2 saying you forgot to use your furlough day...you paid for them, take them.
  • Payroll deductions for furloughs will cease effective paycheck 6/22/18 (the pension pay back will also cease effective paycheck 6/22/18).

One Time Cash Payments

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A&R EARLY SUMMER PICNIC

A&R's Early Summer Picnic is fast approaching.  This year the picnic will be held at La Bella Vista Pavilion, in Waterbury, on July 6.  Cost of the picnic is just $15.  All A&R members are welcome to attend.

Deadlines to register:

  • June 19 - Payments by mail must be received at the union office by this date
  • June 25 - Payments in person must be made at the union office by noon of this date.
  • Registration/payments cannot be made at the Pavilion on the day of the event -  the above deadlines must be met.

Registration Form

KNOW YOUR CONTRACTUAL BENEFITS

All union members are eligible "to receive one-half day off with pay to attend (1) annual picnic and one (1) holiday party".

The above right is specified in MOU III (page 92 of the green book).

We look forward to seeing our brothers and sisters at the picnic.

- posted 6/6

New York Yankees / Astros Game - Next Tuesday

We have just nine tickets left to this event.  Please act fast as these tickets will be gone soon!

  • What:     Yankees vs.Astros Baseball game
  • Where:   Yankee Stadium
  • When:    Tuesday, May 29th
  • How:       By coach bus

For the low price of $49/person you get entry to the game and coach bus transportation to and from the game to Cromwell.

View Flyer

 

Legislative Changes From The 2018 Short Session

The most recent legislative session echoed other recent legislative sessions where certain State Reps and State Senators such as Candelora, Fasano, Klarides and others tried to advance two main goals:

1) Remove Pension/Healthcare from negotiations so they can install a straight 401(k) plan

2) End pension COLAs.  This would make your pension a diminishing benefit.  Your pension would remain the exact same dollar value for your life but inflation would make the value of those dollars worth less each year. 

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DRS Atmosphere Questionnaire

Over 400 A&R members work at the Department of Revenue Services.  DRS is one of the largest agencies at which A&R members work.  Their work is both challenging and an important public service.  Based on countless conversations we have had with members, we are aware that the workplace environment at DRS is neither healthy nor conducive to high morale.  This has been especially true in recent years from all levels of the agency.   A&R has been responding to many common themes including rampant favoritism, lack of respect in the workplace, an uncaring/unresponsive senior managemen

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State Budget Passes - Collective Bargaining Laws Unchanged (for now)

Yesterday, at the 11th hour, the state legislature overwhelmingly passed a budget adjustment bill.  Although this budget was bipartisan, it should be noted that Senator Fasano and Representative Themis Klarides were very adamant about attaching amendments to several bills which would have eliminated collective bargaining over pension and healthcare in 2027.  Rep Candelora (North Branford, Northford, Durham) took the time to create a 13 page amendment which completely re-wrote the Collective Bargaining statutes and then attached it as an amendment to a "Minimum Wage" bill.

Credit is due to Representative Joe Aresimowicz and Senator Martin Looney who continued working with their counterparts to agree on a budget plan while also eliminating the politically volatile attachments.  The bipartisan budget now awaits review and approval by the Governor. 

It should not be lost that certain legislators continue advocating for ending collective bargaining for retirement benefits after the 2017 SEBAC contract expires June 30, 2027.  Along with elimination of negotiating retirement  benefits, their proposals include suspending cost-of-living adjustments for retirees post 2027 until the pension obligations reached 80% funding (we are at 40% now).  Representative Themis Klarides held a press conference today (5/10/18) in which she made it clear that ending collective bargaining over retirement benefits is still a high priority and will most certainly rekindle their efforts to end or severely restrict collective bargaining at their next legislative opportunity.  They continue to try and grab the authority for themselves and dictate your working conditions and benefits rather than negotiate over them.

We will remain vigilant and we cannot forget that this is real and that our retirement future is what is at stake.

Read related article at the CT Mirror

 - posted 5/10/18