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:

We encourage members to participate in political action events that promote equality and justice in the workplace, not only at the local (state) level, but nationally as well.  Here are two upcoming events, one in Washington, DC, the other in Hartford, CT.  We encourage members to participate.

Events:

• Women’s March on Washington on Saturday, January 21, 2017:  Express your concerns about equity and fairness in the workplace.  Buses are being reserved for anyone who wishes to attend but a seat on the bus needs to be reserved by December 21st.  Information on Bus locations

• Legislative Conference at the Legislative Office Building on Feb 4 (see flyer).  We know it sounds boring, but this event, sponsored by AFT - CT actually is a very insightful event.  It is worth giving up a Saturday morning to attend this conference that features planning and discussion of key public policy issues being addressed by AFT Connecticut and affiliated unions in the General Assembly's 2017 legislative session.

posted 12/19/16

Pension Funding Agreement:
The Pension Funding agreement signed last week still has to go before the legislature.  Generally, Labor/Management agreements are placed on the legislative calendar and will pass after 30 days if there is not a vote on the agreement (the Legislature will convene in January 2017).  In a preview of what's to come, the Republican caucus in both chambers of the legislature are pushing for a vote on the agreement rather than letting it pass without a vote.  The main sticking point for the Republican caucus is that the agreement does not include higher pension contributions from State employees.  Since it was the legislature that underfunded the pension for 70 years, perhaps the next agreement should require current legislators to cough up their salaries to cover the pension liability rather than continuing to demand that current employees pay for the debt the legislature created.  CTMirror article on the political battle

posted 12/19/16