A&R elections are upon us again.  This year, there will only be a ballot for 2 Constitutional Amendments.  The balloting will again be electronic/online and conducted by the independent, outside firm BigPulse.  All active members as of March 12, 2018 are eligible (and encouraged) to vote on the Constitutional Amendments.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR MAILBOX - PLEASE VOTE

Username & Passwords will be arriving in your mailbox some time this week.  This will be the only time that a Username/Password will be mailed to members.  If you misplace your username/password, contact the A&R Office (office@andr.org)

The 2017 SEBAC agreement made some significant changes to FMLA entitlements such as allowing sick accruals to be used for FMLA-Caregiver, allowing intermittent leave for State FMLA, adding 24 weeks of Supplemental Leave in addition to FMLA leave, and extending the bonding benefit for childbirth, adoption, or fostering.   

DAS has compiled the various FMLA pieces and released General Letter 39 as guidelines for agencies/employees.   FMLA was never an "easy read" so this General Letter does help navigate the process.

The updated FMLA forms can be obtained from the DAS website or via the A&R website under Resources | FMLA

DAS General Letter 39

Have you ever felt non-essential?  Being called non-essential can be a bit deflating even if the result was that you wouldn't have to report to work on a snowy day.  There has been a quiet push to eliminate the labels of essential/non-essential and yesterday, Governor Malloy signed Executive Order #65 which modifies the terminology. 

Under the order signed today, those employees who previously were designated as “essential” will now be referred to as “Level 1 employees.” Those who had been designated as “nonessential” will now be referred to as “Level 2 employees....all executive branch state

The usual attacks on state employees continue in the 2018 Legislative Session.  Several bills have been introduced at the Legislature which seek to curtail state employee benefits but this session added a new twist: a Fiscal Stability Commission was convened and submitted a report to the legislature.  This Commission was created as part of the 2017 Budget deal and is comprised of CEO-types which quickly earned them the nickname of "the Yacht Club" or the “Let Them Eat Cake Commission”.  Their report has been released and it covers a wide range of issues but includes suggestions to reduce

Spring is just a few weeks away.  Now is the time to make plans to enjoy the good weather:  Seating for all events is limited.  First come/first served basis.

A Day at Foxwoods Casino - Saturday April 7
For $18/person you will receive a $10 meal voucher, a $15 Slot Bet, plus a bus ride from Cromwell to the casino - a good bet indeed.
Foxwoods Flyer

Boston MA/Quincy Market Do Your Own Thing - Saturday May 12
For $27/person you can ride in comfort to Boston from either Cromwell or Vernon.  Enjoy the Springtime weather in Boston.
Boston/Quincy Market Flyer

NY Yankees vs. Houston Astros - Tuesday May 29
For $49/person you will receive game tickets and a bus ride to and from Yankee Stadium.  Enjoy a Springtime evening watching these American League rivals take the field in what could a preview of post-season play.
NY Yankees vs. Houston Astros Flyer

- posted 3/8

In anticipation of winter storm Quinn, the Governor's Office released the following statement: 

"Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that all nonessential state employees will be sent home early in staggered phases of 15-minute intervals beginning at 12:00 p.m. today – Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – in order to better manage the evening commute given the significant winter weather conditions that are forecast to impact the state this afternoon.

 

Releases are being staggered by agency in order to mitigate traffic issues and minimize bottlenecks.  Agency heads being required to stagger the