The A&R COPE committee (chaired by Lew Button) endorses candidates in every election year.  In CT, odd years mean "local elections".  This year, A&R is again seeking to endorse candidates running for local office who are committed to supporting working families and the collective bargaining process. A&R, typically, does not make numerous endorsements in local elections however, we generally like to support our own A&R members seeking elected office.  If you are seeking a local office and would like an endorsement from A&R you must complete/submit our Endorsement Application by our September 17th deadline.

Download the Endorsement form for A&R Members

Download the Endorsement form for non-A&R Members

-8/21/23

Members who are enrolled in the Health Enhancement Plan and have one of the defined "chronic conditions" and completed all of the annual requirements within the calendar year of 2022 will be receiving their $100 payment in their September 9 paycheck (all requirements must have been completed DURING the calendar year to qualify for the $100 payment).

As a reminder to everyone: in order to remain on the HEP you must complete certain healthcare exams during a calendar year (exams are listed below, the frequency of the exams is age/gender dependent so not every exam needs to be done

8/20/2023 BINGO and Beer at Hops on the Hill (no cost). BINGO starts at 2PM so arrive earlier, limited seating (view flyer) (register online)

9/1/2023 A&R Summer Picnic at LaBella Vista (view flyer) (register online)

10/21/2023 Haunted Happenings - Salem, MA (view flyer) (register online)

11/26/2023 Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular (view flyer) (register online)

12/2/2023 NYC - DoYourOwnThing (view flyer) (register online)

7/10/23 Update  (5/31/23 Original post)

A&R has been working through over 250 Pandemic Pay Appeals and we still have 40 unresolved...for all of those that have been resolved, we are hoping that payment will be in the July 13 paycheck but we cannot guarantee this will be the case. If we have notified you that you are all set, then just know that your payment is pending and if it didn't make it into this paycheck, it should be in the July 27 paycheck; for all other appeals (including those disputing HighRisk/LowRisk), we are still pursuing those appeals and we will let you know when we receive

-7/6/23

TELEWORK DENIALS and APPEALS:

Telework applications were due back in mid-June and the agency responses are due by July 13.  If you wish to appeal a denial of part/all of your application, we strongly encourage you to do so immediately.  The sooner an appeal is submitted, the sooner it can be brought before the facilitator so a delay in filing the appeal will result in a delay in the resolution.

• Denials of a Telework request should be directed to the Telework Denial Form
• Questions on Telework should be directed to A&R at Telework@andr.org so that we can respond.

-6/29/23

Wage Increase: There will be a General Wage Increase of 2.5% for all employees on Friday June 30, 2023 and will be reflected in your July 27 paycheck. This means all salaries will increase by 2.5%.  The Step increases (or TopStepPayment) will be on December 29, 2023.  Starting in January 2024, A&R will begin negotiations for a 2024 GWI & Step Increase.

Retiree Healthcare Trust Fund (OPEB):  Employees who began making the 3% contributions to the Retiree Healthcare Trust Fund (OPEB on your paystub) back on July 1, 2013 are reaching the end of the 10 year contribution requirement, that