A Few Items Worthy of an Update:

1) The $1000/$2000 one-time payments were made in the July 20 paycheck.  Only a few mistakes have been brought to our attention and A&R has filed an institutional grievance which should cover all members improperly compensated. However, we do not have any way to gauge who specifically was improperly paid or improperly denied unless individuals specifically notify us, so we are asking everyone who believes they were improperly denied payment or paid the wrong amount to complete the quick sign-up sheet so we are aware of who specifically would be impacted by this

A&R's Late Summer Picnic at Maneeley's is fast approaching and will be held on August 31.  Cost of the picnic is just $15.  Cash bar available.  All A&R members are welcome to attend.

Deadlines to register:

• August 17 - Payments by mail must be received at the union office by this date
• August 24 - Payments in person must be made at the union office by 12:30 pm of this date.
• Registration/payments cannot be made at Maneeley's on the day of the event -  the above deadlines must be met.

Registration Form

KNOW YOUR CONTRACTUAL BENEFITS

Don't take contract benefits for granted!  The A&R contract provides members the right to receive one half day off with pay to attend one annual picnic and one holiday party (sponsored by either your agency or your union).  Without this contract provision, leave time would be necessary to attend such functions.

We look forward to seeing our brothers and sisters at the picnic.

- posted 7/25

The COPE committee and several A&R members attended a sit down interview with gubernatorial democratic primary candidate Ned Lamont last evening.  In an informal setting, we discussed issues important to state employees.  Members had the opportunity to pose questions directly to the candidate, to hear his responses, and to personally evaluate the candidate.

At the conclusion of the interview, the COPE Committee, with the full support of all present, including non-COPE committee members, voted unanimously that A&R has endorsed Ned Lamont in his gubernatorial bid. 

This is A&R's second endorsement

Ned Lamont (candidate for Governor) will be visiting the A&R office on  Thursday July 19 at 5:30pm.   Ned will be seeking an endorsement from A&R so he will be at our office to answer questions from A&R members.

This will not be a stump speech, this is for A&R members to question Ned Lamont and to decide if we wish to endorse him in his primary bid against Joe Ganim.

All members are invited to attend.

THIS WEEK'S PAYCHECK SHOULD INCLUDE:

One-time Lump Sum Payment of either $1,000 or $2,000 (SEBAC 2017)

Longevity payment (delayed from April 2018)

• SEBAC 2017 provides that there shall be a $2,000 one time payment, to all employees, or top step lump sum plus $1,000 if greater.  The one time payments shall be paid in July of 2018.  The top step lump shall be paid on the employee's normal increment date
• For the rare "July Anniversary" members, the Top Step Payment would also be included during the July 20 paycheck, but again, this is ONLY for the very few, highly uncommon "July Anniversary" members.

The Supreme Court announced its decision in Janus v AFSCME on June 27.  In its simplest form, the court struck down something referred to as "agency fees".  Agency fees were a form of alternate payment made by employees who chose not to join the union.  Historically, agency fees were established to ensure that all employees, regardless of union membership status, contributed to defray the costs of collective bargaining and contract administration.  As of June 27, the court ruled that non-members no longer have to pay agency fees - that they could pay nothing.  This was a political decision by