The Social Committee (Co-chaired by Michelle Abrahamson and Rhonda Salvatore) is finalizing some of the activities for the upcoming year.  Recently confirmed are a trip to Boston, a trip to New York, a Red Sox game, and a Yankees game. 

Of note, A&R now accepts credit card payments but they MUST be done in person at the A&R office.  There is a $1 surcharge per ticket purchased for credit card transactions.  Also, the trips to New York have only 1 pick-up location which is in Cromwell.  The Meriden pick-up location was infrequently used, therefore, to shorten the bus ride, this stop has been

In the coming weeks, Care Management Solutions will be sending out notices to those members they have identified as non-compliant with the HEP requirements as of year-end 2016.  If you receive notification that you are non-compliant, immediately contact Care Management Solutions at 1-877-687-1448 to speak with a HEP representative.  If you believe that you were in compliance as of year-end 2016, yet Care Management Solutions cannot resolve the issue, immediately notify Union Hall so that we can get you the assistance needed to address the problem.

Remember: If Care Management Solutions considers you non-compliant, you could lose the financial benefits associated with the HEP such as reduced monthly premiums, deductible waivers, and lower co-pays.  If you receive notification of non-compliance, take action promptly.

The State Employee Retirement System (SERS = your pension) will be a frequent topic of discussion during this legislative session.  The primary issue regarding SERS is related to the underfunding of our pension system.  To that end, it is helpful for members to have an understanding of what the legislators and pundits will be blathering about for the next 5 months.  Much nonsense will be played out in the press and at the Capitol.  It is important that members know what is real and what nonsense.  A recently released report from the Office of Legislative Research does a good job of taking this

When it happens:

• Act professionally
• Be responsible
• Drive safely
• Know your contract

The A&R contract affords you protections if and when inclement causes you to be late for work.  Specifically, Article 16, section 6 addresses inclement weather and starting times.  In a nutshell, page 39 indicates that:

1. Arrival within one hour of the start of shift shall not be charged for lateness
2. Up to 2^1/2  hours may be excused if conditions are severe
3. Granting lateness beyond the 1st hour is subject to comparison with fellow employees' arrival times.  If the time in excess of 1 hour is denied or exceeds 2 1/2 hours

A complete transcript and audio recording of the Governor's speech can be found here at WAMC, Northeast Public Radio.

Notable excerpts from the Governor's speech:

• a responsible and balanced solution to our budget problem is one that includes state employee concessions
• reduced the number of state agencies by 28 percent since 2011 — shrinking from 81 agencies down to 58.
• reduced the size of executive branch workforce by nine and a half percent.
• now employ 5,000 fewer full-time employees than in 2008
• exluding higher education, the executive branch workforce is at the smallest it has been since Ronald

-12/23/16

The US District Court has ruled that loss of seniority as a result of the Rowland layoffs is a form of economic loss that is recoverable under state and Federal law.  Therefore, employees laid-off as a result of the 11/17/2002 Rowland action who continue or return to State service will have their seniority adjusted.  The decision and agreement with the unions reads as follows: