Collective bargaining works.  Know your rights!

No more need to burn accruals during shift cancellations.  And "Essential" employees now get the compensation they deserve when required to work such days.  Beneficial changes to the A&R contract relating to such closures were brought about as a result of face-to-face negotiations with the state last year. 

In anticipation of winter storm Grayson, the Governor directed nonessential first and second-shift employees to not report to work on Thursday, January 4, 2018.  See the Governor's Press Release.

Please be aware of the following:

• If you have

The State Legislature will convene on Thursday January 4 to address the $220 million budget gap as well as to resolve a snafu in the budget related to the Medicare Savings Program.  Despite the fact that State Employees provided over $1.5 billion in budget savings via the 2017 SEBAC agreement  (which will translate into $24 billion over the next 20 years), several Republicans in the legislature continue their public messaging campaign against state employees and stating that budget problems should be fixed by curbing state employee costs.  During the upcoming legislative session It is expected

SB 1502 sec 164 (the "Budget Bill") enacted legislation establishing a new state agency: the Office of Health Strategy (OHS).  The Office of Health Strategy will include employees who are currently employed by the Department of Public Health and the entirety of employees assigned to the Office of Health Care Access.  The Department of Public Health will perform administrative services for the newly formed Office of Health Strategy but the OHS will be its own agency..  Employees of the Office of Healthcare Access will be assigned to OHS and will remain in their current office location and

WORKSHOP IS FULLY BOOKED - we will notify of future workshops
AFT CT is sponsoring a workshop designed to help union members improve financial literacy and achieve life goals. Whether you're just starting your career or approaching retirement, you won't want to miss this unique benefit at our state federation headquarters next month.  Presenters from Merrill Lynch Financial Advisors Barnaby Horton and Andrew Aubrey will help you learn skills for organizing your financial life to help you take control of your personal finances and achieve important life goals.

In order to attend, you MUST RSVP

Reminder #1:  Please use any remaining PL time prior to January 1st.  PL time expires on 12/31 so if it is not used, it is lost.

Reminder #2: A&R has furlough days on 12/26 and 12/27.  A&R employees are not obligated to report to work on those 2 dates.  Anyone who chooses to work on either or both of those days needs to select another day as their furlough day(s).  Remember, we all are taking 3 furlough days between July 2017 and June 2018.  Everyone's paycheck is being docked for the value of 3 furlough days so if you do not take all 3 furlough days prior to June 30, 2018 then you far overpaid and there is no refund... it is the responsibility of each individual to ensure that they have taken all 3 furlough days by June 30, 2018.

If you were directed to work on the 11/24 furlough day, you cannot be directed to work on 12/26 or 12/27; management can only direct you to work on one of the three prescribed days.

Reminder #3: Prior to 12/31/17, anyone who has a "chronic condition" should read and complete the form found on the www.cthep.com website for that particular chronic condition.  This is part of the compliance piece associated with the $100 rebate...(as a reminder, the password requires at least 8 characters, at least 1 capital letter, and at least 1 number)

Reminder #4:  The 2018 Calendar of State Holidays and Check Dates is available for review/download.

All members should know their rights under the contract.  We want to remind members of the following changes to our contract relating to winter weather:  

DELAYED OPENINGS
In the instance of a Governor (designee) delayed opening of 11:00AM or later, Article 16 Section six of the A&R contract shall not apply and employees shall be expected to arrive at the Governor (designee) declared start time.  In instances where an employee arrives after the Governor (designee) declared start time, said employee may opt to either make up the extended delay or charge said excess time to accrued leave.  In all