Some confusion/clarification related to Healthcare:

Preferred Provider List: 
There are 2 tiers of in-network doctors: Tier 1 (waives the normal $15 co-pay) and Tier 2 (normal $15 co-pay is charged).  The only difference is whether the co-pay is waived or not.

To find out if a doctor is Tier 1 or Tier 2, link to the Anthem search-page of doctors or UnitedHealthcare search-page

Site-of-Service:
This is a little trickier.  When lab work or radiological imaging is needed, the insurance plan wants to push this work to "non-hospital" sites when practical.  This means, if you need an MRI or blood work

Approximately 250 A&R members enjoyed the tranquil surroundings of the Water's Edge Resort and Spa on Friday as they learned techniques for dealing with stress in the workplace.  Morning and afternoon workshops focused on de-stressing, getting motivated, time management, and happiness in the workplace.  This event, which was sponsored by A&R, with the approval of the Office of Labor Relations, was enjoyed by all.

Article 31 of your contract provides each member up to ten days leave with pay per contract term to attend professional development activities.  While details of the next A&R

Governor Malloy signed the bipartisan budget today.  This completes a very long legislative battle that began back in February.  Much credit to Reps Aresimowicz and Ritter along with Sens. Looney, Duff, and Fasano for bringing the parties and the chambers together to get this done. 
-10/31/17

DAS recently sent a notice to all employees regarding a change in the job application/exam process.  For most positions, there will no longer be the dual system of sending in an exam application and then seperately submitting a job application when a vacancy occurs. 

DAS has moved to an electronic system called "JobAps" and eliminated the CT HR-12 paper application form (many of us still refer to the application form as the PLD-1, the PLD-1 is now officially eliminated...and so is the CT HR-12).  The State has now implemented an electronic resume system.

1)  Employees should begin by registering

Late last night (early this morning actually), the State Senate passed a bi-partisan budget bill by a 33-3 vote  While we have been monitoring the budget proposals for months, this final proposal was a closely guarded secret prior to passage.  The full budget (SB 1502) and the fiscal note are both now available.

The Budget Bill passed the State House today on a vote of 126-23 and will head to the Governor for approval or veto. 

This bill removed most of the anti-union/anti-state employee language that had been proposed throughout the legislative session and further removed some of the harsh