Despite what has been floated in the press, the SEBAC unions are willing to meet with the Governor.  Our goal is to find out what he is looking for from union members.  To this day neither the Governor, nor the Democrats, nor the Republicans have spoken to SEBAC to explain what they may seek from employees.  There have been many ideas floated in press releases, but nothing actually offered or discussed.  We have not refused to meet with the Governor or any of the State’s representatives.

We have been willing to meet with the Governor and found it remarkable that no one had approached us until March 16^th.  We certainly want to avoid layoffs.  Our priorities are to protect your job and your benefits.  We will not forget that State employees have made concessions in the past and we need to find the right outcome for 2016.

Although we have agreed to meet with the Governor, a meeting date has not yet been set.  Do not buy into the premise that the Unions are snubbing any of the leadership of this State.  We have been willing to listen, but to date, they preferred to play politics in the press rather than actually engage us.  It is our hope that if there is to be any sustainable solution, it would be obtained through discussions rather than vitriolic press releases and grandstanding.

We will keep you apprised as circumstances evolve but we will avoid responding to the daily barrage of misleading press releases.

We knew it was inevitable and now it has happened: OPM sent a letter March 16^th requesting a meeting with SEBAC leaders meet to discuss pension and healthcare concessions.

SEBAC met March 17^th  to discuss and respond to the request. 

Today, SEBAC leaders responded via letter to OPM that we would meet to discuss the State's fiscal situation.  Our response was an indication that we are not meeting to discuss concessions.  A&R members need to know that, at this time, there are no concession talks and the SEBAC agreement is not "open".  Circumstances are dynamic and we will continue to update

There has been an onslaught of rumors, speculation, and misinformation regarding State Employees, lately so we will try to address these issues as best as we can.

Meeting with the Governor:  It is inevitable.  It would be silly for the Governor to avoid talking to the Unions throughout the entire legislative session.  His budget plan is to have State Employees make up for the deficit through layoffs and harsh contract agreements.  He knows there are limitations on what the Unions are willing to discuss, but doesn't it just make sense to engage the Unions before he spirals the middle-class down

The CT Working Families Party is seeking to train and support anyone interested in running for elected office in their district.  The following message was received from the CT Working Families Party:

This year, we're working hard to find, recruit, and train candidates for local and state office, and we think that person might just be you!

We're looking for progressive champions who aren't afraid to stand up and fight. We want candidates who believe that our economy should work for everyone, not just the richest 1%. Leaders who think every single child deserves a great education, and every

Governor Malloy is making it clear that layoffs are pending and he is setting the narrative that the Unions don't want to help solve the budget issues.  This is comical as State employees have given hundreds of millions over the past 6 years.  We would like to think that the governor respects the sacrifices our members have already made in the agreement he negotiated in 2011 and that cuts and layoffs will only damage Connecticut’s economy.   

The truth is that the Unions have not had discussions with the Governor, nor have the Unions turned down a meeting with the Governor, nor are we likely to

UCPEA employees (University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association) voted overwhelmingly to have their contract renegotiated rather than re-submit their contract to the legislature.

UCPEA employees and UConn ratified a contract agreement and submitted it to the General Assembly in early February. 2016. The 5-year agreement called for moving from a 35hr workweek to a 40hr workweek as well as wage increases of 2%, 1%, 1%, 1%, and 1% .

This contract became a political tug-of-war in the General Assembly with various misconceptions and rumors that didn't properly represent the agreement.