Where we are on the Vax Mandate:
We finally have some progress to report on the vaccince mandate negotiations. While some issues remain unsresolved and may require arbitration, agreement was reached on several fundamental issues. This document, signed by the State and SEBAC, summarizes the positions of the parties on a range of issues. The main take-aways from this document:
- Employees have the ability to submit vaccination proof and/or test results via fax (860 678 5207) or via email, in addition to the Wellspark "App" (Statecovid@wellsparkhealth.com).
- Home-tests are not acceptable. Tests must be performed and reported by a healthcare provider.
- Those who receive their first injection in a two-dose vaccine regimen but fail to timely receive their second injection within three days of the recommended date shall be subject to weekly testing, pending receipt of their second dosage.
- Testing can be at no cost to the employee if done at one of the "State Sponsored Testing" sites, a listing of which can be found at www.211ct.org
- For employees who test at other than "State Sponsored Testing" sites, their first 4 tests will be covered by the State health insurance plan.
The remainder of the document lists off the items that are still being contested:
- Whether testing should be on the employer's time and at the employer's expense (currently, leave accruals can be used to cover work time lost to get tested during the workday)
- Whether testing should be required prior to a vacation or while on leave (currently, testing must be done weekly regardless of the situation)
- The exact consequences, including unpaid leave and/or separation from state service for non-compliance (currently, 15 days unpaid then separation in good standing which means you can re-apply for a State position when you are in compliance with the vaccine requirement).
- Whether time lost due to side effects from the vaccine should count against sick time accruals (currently, any vax side effects would require the use of sick time).
- Whether time lost by unvaccinated people due to quarantine for a positive test result should be covered leave time in addition to the 14 day LOPD allotment (currently, a positive test would grant any remaining LOPD time then use of sick time would be required).
Lastly, it appears that for those who select testing and will be out for vacation or medical leave will not need to test until prior to their return (this is unclear at this time, but was presented as a clarification).