The value of union membership was clearly demonstrated on Wednesday (March 27^th) when lawyers working at the Attorney Generals Office had their first contract approved at the state legislature.  This was a significant milestone for this group of 185 state employees.   These employees had not been unionized previously and had not recieved raises in many years.  About two years ago these 'at will' state employees organized themselves.  They petitioned the state for the right to form a union.  They held a vote.  They formed their own union.  The result:  with their first contract they secured a 3

General Update (3/25/2019)

First, the A&R Tax Attorneys "impact bargaining" agreement has finally made its way to the legislature (HR-23 & SR-26).  This has been a tough road for over 2 years to get this group into A&R from a non-union status.  The Tax Attorneys were the first group that organized into A&R and there are 9 other titles that followed their lead and successfully unionized.  This has not exactly been a smooth transition for them so I want to thank them for having the courage to do what they did and the determination to see this through until the end.  We still need to get this

Just a reminder of some upcoming A&R events.  All events are open to active members and their guests:

4/5/19    Chocolate and Wine Cruise (view flyer)
Enjoy an evening of music, chocolate, and wine while cruising along the Connecticut river aboard the Lady Katharine

5/11/19  Boston - Do Your Own Thing (view flyer)
Spend the day having fun doing your own thing in Boston

6/15/19  New York - Do Your Own Thing (view flyer)
Spend the day doing your own thing, this time in New York

8/9/19    Red Sox vs LA Angels at Fenway Park  (view flyer)

8/17/19    Saratoga Races  (view flyer)

10/13/19   Foxwoods Casino Bus Trip  (view flyer)

CORRECTION: previously we stated that the "extra" hour should be coded as LWGOV, this is incorrect, the "extra" hour is properly coded as LWWTR. So for Monday 3/4/19, the time up to 10:30 is LWGOV, anything beyond 10:30 is LWWTR.

Today, Monday March 4, Governor Lamont declared a late opening of 10:30.  This is the first delayed opening in a few years and we have some new contract language regarding late openings, so let's try to get this all sorted out for everyone...we will start easy: 

Essential Employees (level 1 employees)...we have NEW contract language that grants comp time for all hours worked up thru the delayed start time (that would be 10:30 am today).  So if you worked from 7:30 to 10:30 as an Essential Employee, you would earn 3 hrs of comp time in addition to any regular pay or OT compensation for the week.

Non-Essential Employees (level 2 employees) who are not on "Pure Flex":  This really hasn't changed, but here is how it works: Those NOT on pure flex: code the time to "LWGOV" for the hours missed through 10:30 (as always).  Further, if you arrive within 1 hour of the governor's "modified" start time (meaning, you arrive by 11:30 am today) that time is coded as LWWTR...an arbitration award declared that the extra hour from Article 16 Section 6 is "stacked" onto the Governor's declared start time.  Further, we have NEW contract language that allows you to make up any time beyond the 1-hour extension or you can charge excess lateness to accruals...

Non-Essential Employees (level 2 employees) who are on "Pure Flex" will pretend that their day started at 8:00 am, so in this instance, from 8 am to 10:30 is coded as "LWGOV", if you needed the additional 1 hr extension, then the same applies as above...and of course, you can make up any time during the payperiod or use your accruals.

Last 2 notes: 

NEW language:  if you had scheduled vacation, sick, pl for today, you do NOT need to charge your accruals through 10:30 am unless you were scheduled to take the entire week off.

Also NEW language, even if you are late, you can claim LWGOV.  Prior to this contract, if you were late, you lost LWGOV, that is no longer the case. 

Ever wonder why we are unionized?  It is pretty simple, because if we didn't have a collective voice, the elected officials would eliminate every benefit and wage increase we have ever attained.  Yet again this year, the Governor's State of the State speech spoke to adjusting State Employee benefits.  We have given, and frozen, and furloughed enough over the last 10 years yet we still remain in the spotlight...and this is from the people we have supported...the elected officials we haven't supported think we should be targeted far more.  So today, Gov Ned Lamont said he would be asking State Employees to consider a "shared-risk" COLA on our pensions...the panic can stop there.  Before we try to explain a "shared-risk" COLA, let's start with: we will not be doing this.  The Governor has already heard directly from A&R on this and it isn't even worth another breath, it's dead already. 

So, what is a shared-risk COLA?  They can take many forms and the details can vary drastically, however, the gist is this: our pension funds are invested in various forms of  "Wall St".  In a shared risk scenario, if the pension fund doesn't meet its expected return rate (in our case a 6.9% return), then the pension COLA of retirees is adjusted downward to reflect the poor return on investments.  Therefore, our pensions share the risk of the market-returns.  It essentially reduces any Cost of Living Adjustment based on whether the expected rate of return on investments is acheived.  Perhaps you could look on the flip side and think maybe it works, if the pension fund exceeds its 6.9% return expectation, then the pension COLA gets a boost...nope...in this offering, you share the risk, not the rewards...if the fund loses, you lose, if the fund wins, you get your normal COLA formula...it's a loser's game.  Who would accept a deal where you lose when they lose and you break even when they win?...well, not A&R.  It is a non-starter.  I'm not even sure why the Governor would pitch such a silly concept, so don't waste any time thinking about it, it won't happen.

As for his other idea: re-amortorizing the pension fund, that is something to be considered, that is a no-harm change and the last re-amortorization plan was a bit aggressive.  Our last plan was aimed at front-loading payments to decrease the unfunded liability quickly.  It was a necessary adjustment as the bond-rating agencies were getting a bit viscious about the liabilities, however, the high payments were consuming a large amount of the State budget.  If another plan is put forth, it is worth considering.  To be clear, re-amortizing the debt would not change any benefits, it would only change the Annual Required Contributions the State would have to pay towards the unfunded liability.

Lastly, the Governor proposed expanding the SmartShopper portion of our healthcare plan.  This program compares the cost of medical procedures at different medical facilities and then pays a cash reward for selecting the cheaper facilities.  Currently, this program only covers a few medical procedures but if it is expanded, this could have significant savings for the state and the insured individual gets to share in that savings via a cash reward. This is a shared-risk offering that we can accept, if they win, you win...see how shared-risk could be implemented and be positive?  SmartShopper is a voluntary offering and is explained further on our website under the Health Insurance Plan/Forms section.

Ned Lamont appointed 5 state legislators to positions within his administration which created 5 special elections to be held on February 26, 2019.  A&R is only making one endorsement in these races and that is for Saud Anwar in the 3^rd Senate District (East Hartford, South Windsor, part of Ellington and part of East Windsor).  It is important to make sure you vote in the Special Elections;  these elections have consequences so please do your part.

There will also be 4 other Special Elections held on February 26th:

5th Senatorial District (West Hartford, Farmington)
6th Senatorial District (New Britain)
39th State Representative District (New London)
99th State Representative District (East Haven)

If any A&R member is considering a run for local office this November (town/city government) then we can support you in this effort.  Whether it is for your town committee or the planning/zoning committee, or Board of Ed, as members of the AFL-CIO, there is a training class on how to run for public office.  Further, please notify A&R (office@andr.org or 860 953-1316) and we may also be of assistance in helping your campaign.