Last year membership voted and approved the A&R contract, as well as modifications to the SEBAC agreement.  These changes were negotiated by union members, for union members via A&R's Negotiations Committee.  While no member was enthusiastic to make the sacrifices being asked, the membership overwhelmingly approved the negotiated contracts.  The result: We have a signed labor agreement which runs through June 2021, with 7% built in wage increases, guaranteed top step bonuses (guaranteed throughout your career),  two step increments, all longevity payments, and a cash bonus this July.  We also

The 2018 pension breakpoint for Tier2/2A/3 retirees has increased to $80,537.  This is a 3.4% increase over 2017 ($77,889) yet is $7000 lower than it would have been if we continued to use the straight 6% increase formula that was used from 1982 - 2014. 

The breakpoint is the dividing line for the pension calculation: earnings above the breakpoint have a multiplier of 1.8333% for every year of service and salary below the breakpoint has a multiplier of 1.4% for each year of service.

January 18th, 5:30 pm at the A&R Office (805 Brook St, Building 4, Rocky Hill).
The Open Budget meeting will be led by A&R Treasurer Jan Bureau.  A light meal will be provided.  All A&R members are welcome to attend (an RSVP to 860 953 1316 is helpful for us to ensure there is enough food).

A&R will be awarding 16 scholarships to qualifying children of A&R/AFT Local 4200 members or children of former A&R members who are now members of the A&R Retiree Chapter.  Available A&R scholarships:

1. Ten scholarships of $1,500 to children of active A&R members who are graduating high school this year entering post-secondary education in September 2018
   • Application deadline April 12
2. Five scholarships of $1,500 to children of active A&R members who are continuing their post-secondary education.
   • Application deadline April 12
3. One scholarship of $2,500 (A&R's Harry Zilber Award).
   • Application deadline

Pursuant to the provisions of the SEBAC 2017 agreement, retirement contribution rates for all members were initially set to increase by 1.5% of salary effective July 1, 2017 and by a further 0.5% effective July 1, 2019. However due to the delayed ratification of the agreement and needed CORE-CT adjustments, the 1.5% deductions did not commence on July 1, 2017.  The State has completed the process of updating the CORE-CT payroll codes enabling collection of the 6 payperiod pension contributions retroactively.  Members will see the impact of the “Catch-Up Contributions” beginning with check date

On January 20, 2018, on the one-year anniversary of the first Women’s March, people of all backgrounds will come together in Hartford to defend women's rights, workers’ rights, civil rights, immigrant rights, and much more.

So please brothers and sisters, join us at the State Capitol Building on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 12:30 p.m. as we launch the 2018 Women’s March agenda. This includes an important section on workers’ rights that, in part, reads:

“All women should be paid equitably, with access to affordable childcare, sick days, healthcare, paid family leave, and healthy work environments. All workers – including domestic and farm workers, undocumented and migrant workers – must have the right to organize and fight for a living wage.”

There will be a march at 12:30 p.m. from the north side of the Corning Fountain to arrive at the Capitol at 1:00 p.m. Those with limited mobility or those who do not wish to march can just gather at the Capitol.

Women's March in Hartford
Connecticut State Capitol, 210 Capitol Ave, Hartford
Saturday, January 20
12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Speakers include:

• Connecticut AFL-CIO President Lori Pelletier
• U.S. Representative Elizabeth Esty
• State Senator Beth Bye
• Hartford City Councilwoman Wildaliz Bermudez
• CWEALF Executive Director Kate Farrar
• Make the Road CT Organizer Barbara Lopez
• & many more!

For more information about parking, public transportation, food, and more, please visit: https://www.ctaflcio.org/events/womens-march-connecticut.