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

There has been a sharp increase in retirements from State service during this calendar year.  As such, we have requested another updated A&R Seniority List as of October 1, 2016.  A&R has been reduced by 140 employees as retiremements speed up and the back-filling of positions becomes difficult.  There was another "higher than normal" spike in retirements on October 1 which are NOT reflected in this list but will be removed from any subsequent seniority lists we obtain.  A&R Seniority List as of 10/1/2016.

On October 19, the State Board of Labor Relations announced that the Assistant Attorneys Generals (AAGs) had voted in favor of unionization.  The 179 non-union employees overwhelmingly voted in favor of creating their own union and will become a seperate local within AFT-CT.   The AAGs will become part of the Public Employees Division of AFT-CT  along with A&R, UHP, SVFT, JPE, UCPEA and will be represented by AFT-CT at SEBAC. 

A&R applauds the AAGs and their movement to unionize which will better serve the employees within the AGs Office and will strengthen the voice of state employees and