Posted 6/14

Our current contract ends June 30, 2016, which leads to the basic question: what happens on July 1st and thereafter?

One of the first issues we addressed is your contractual right to attend the Union Picnic (summer outing at Lake Compounce).  This became a pressing issue, as the picnic is scheduled for July 8, just one week after the contract expires.  The concern was justified, as some agencies had been telling members that requests for "union picnic" release time would not be honored.  Discussions between the Union and OLR ensued.  We are pleased to announce that on June 9th, OLR

In conjunction with contract negotiations, A&R is reviewing the current Comparability tables referenced in Article 13, section 4(b) of our contract.  Comparability tables are used during layoffs to provide affected members increased employment opportunities.  A comparable class must have the same pre-requisites and training to be considered comparable.

We want to ensure that all classes are fully and properly accounted for in the Comparability Table.  While there is no guarantee that any changes to the table will be made, this is our opportunity to seek changes if so warranted.

If you have

-5/27/16
A&R began negotiating our successor contract several months ago.  Up to this point, negotiations achieved no progress.  The State proposed eliminating nearly every line in our contract (wiping out every benefit we have) and felt that it would only be fitting if they also proposed zero wage increases, no steps, and no top step bonus.  The nonsense has continued as we have met a half-dozen times with the same result of no progress and no sincere engagement by the State.  Although the State couldn't support any of their positions, the State refused to budge on the elimination of all

The Health Insurance Open Enrollment period continues through June 3, 2016.

This is the time of year to review your current health/dental insurance plan and make adjustments.  Other than "life" changes, the health plan you select will remain your plan until the next open enrollment period in 2017.  Please ensure that you are only covering qualified individuals on your health insurance, if a dependent or former spouse needs to be removed, please do so.

A copy of the Open Enrollment Fair Schedule.

2016 HEP Requirements

View your HEP Compliance (note: your password is now required to be 8 characters

Updated 5/18/16

AFT CT Legislative "Wrap-up"

Highlights of the Budget Implementer

The amended budget which was brought forth in a Special Session of the General Assembly passed in the Senate on a party line vote on 5/12.  The House passed the budget by a narrow 74-70 vote on 5/13.

Although the budget that passed is still a job-killing budget, this budget was somewhat different than the proposal that never made it to the floor during the regular session.  In particular, the budget that passed does NOT transfer all A&R Staff Attorneys to the AGs office as the original budget proposed.  This budget

5/11/16

Apparently leaders in the General Assembly were under the impression that SEBAC had taken a vote and rejected a concession offer from the Governor's Office.  This is not the case.  SEBAC has not been asked for any concessions.  The Governor's Office did tell SEBAC that they want 0% wage increases, layoffs, and changes to the SEBAC agreement - yet no request for concessions has been made.  However, this is not the message that the Governor's Office has given to legislative leaders.  SEBAC felt it necessary to send this open letter to the Legislators.

To be certain, the administration has