As the Governor attempts to put together his biennel budget, he requested that the Unions informally meet with budget director Ben Barnes.  The unions did meet and listen to Ben Barnes presentation on the future budget problems.  It appears, the Governor suddenly realizes he isn't going to Washington and he may need to work with labor.  The parties will meet again and hopefully have some positive discussions, we will report out any developments if they occur.

posted 11/23/16

11/22/16

Governor Malloy is preparing his 2-yr budget proposal which will be unveiled in February 2017.  In advance of the Biennial Budget announcement the Governor has asked all agencies to submit a proposal to acheive a 10% reduction in their budget.

These Agency proposals are merely that: proposals.  The Governor may use these proposals as guidance and certainly these can be influential when the Governor creates his budget recommendations but these proposals are not actual changes.  Further, it is the General Assembly which will actually craft the budget using the Governor's budget proposal

11/21/16

A&R is operating under a contract "extension" agreement with the State.  This means the language of our contract continues to apply, however, no "new" money is provided. 

Our contract ended on June 30, 2016 and therefore did not require any State funds to be added for Tuition Reimbursement  nor towards Professional Development/Conferences for July 1, 2016.  Since no "new" money was added to these funds, we are now operating only on  the remaining "carry-over" funds from the prior contract year.

The Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development programs are administered and funded by

A&R member Valerie Seery is a License Application Analyst working at the DOT's Regulatory & Compliance Unit.  Valerie's commitment to public service goes well beyond the realm of DOT.  In her "spare time", this wife and mother of two is known as Lieutenant Colonel Valerie Seery.

Lieutenant Colonel Seery has been active in the Connecticut Army National Guard for 27 years in addition to 2 years of active duty with the Army. Among her many assignments, LTC Seery served on post at the U.S. Embassy, Baghdad while deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004-2005).  Valerie has served her military career with distinction, receiving numerous awards and decorations, including: 

• Meritorious Service Medal
• Joint Service Commendation Medal
• Army Achievement Medal
• Army Good Conduct Medal
• Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals (8)
• National Defense Service Medals (2)
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M device
• Army Service Ribbon
• Overseas Service Ribbon
• CT Long Service Ribbon (25 years)
• CT Veterans Wartime Service Medal
• Dept of State Meritorious Honor Award

A&R is proud to call LTC Valerie Seery one of our own.

Complete bio/Iraq deployment photo

Have a member in mind for the spotlight?  Please let us know.

-11/16/16

The Comptroller's Office and the legislature's Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) both recently released budget projections for the current fiscal year which ends June 30, 2017 (FY17).  The two reports vary somewhat (as they always do) and both are projecting small deficits of between $42 and $77 million for the current fiscal year.

The bigger problem appears to be FY18 and FY19 where the projected deficits range up to $1.5 billion.  When the legislature convenes in January 2017, this is the gap that will be addressed when they compile their biennial budget.

Comptroller's November Report

Of

Despite numerous negotiation sessions with the State, the State’s position on wage freezes and severe language changes appears non-negotiable.  The State's positions are unacceptable to the A&R Negotiations Team and after nearly a year of negotiations, the State has not made any meaningful concessions from its egregious positions. 

The A&R Negotiations Team took an informal vote that we should declare impasse and file for binding arbitration.   The Negotiations Team is set to meet Wednesday, November 9^th, at 5:30pm.  At that meeting, the committee will take a formal vote regarding impasse.  The