In anticipation of winter storm Quinn, the Governor's Office released the following statement:
"Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that all nonessential state employees will be sent home early in staggered phases of 15-minute intervals beginning at 12:00 p.m. today – Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – in order to better manage the evening commute given the significant winter weather conditions that are forecast to impact the state this afternoon.
Releases are being staggered by agency in order to mitigate traffic issues and minimize bottlenecks. Agency heads being required to stagger the releases are being contacted directly with specific instructions. State employee will receive specific instructions on their specifically designated release time from their agency heads.
In addition, nonessential, second-shift state employees should not report to work this evening."
See the Governor's Press Release.
Please be aware of the following NEW contract language (this may not apply to all unions, but it does apply to A&R):
- If you have scheduled PL or VAC during the time of the cancellation, you are no longer required to burn the PL or VAC time if your shift is canceled. If a portion of a shift is cancelled, that portion does not get charged to PL/VAC/Sick.
- Accruals will still be charged if you had leave scheduled for the entire week.
- The same above provisions apply to sick leave
- Essential employees - If you are required to work during a shift cancellation, in addition to your regular pay, you will now receive comp time for the hours worked.
For those on Pure Flex with no established start/end times: On an early release day, you account for an 8 hr day (unless it is the final day of the payperiod, we won't cover this today). You count your hours of work leading up to the granted leave time and the rest of the 8hr day is charged to WinterWeather. In the new contract, MOU8 (Winter Weather and Early Releases) has been modified to strike all language prior to: "an employee scheduled in advance to work.."
Actual contract language:
SHIFT CANCELLATIONS
Article 18 Section 3(b)
When a shift off (or any portion thereof) is granted by the act of the Governor (or his/her designee) an employee scheduled to charge vacation accruals or personal leave on that shift shall not be charged. However, this provision shall not apply in the event the employee had leave scheduled the entire work week (e.g.: Monday - Friday)
Article 19 Section 5
Employees scheduled to be out sick shall not be charged a sick day if the state is closed by act of the Governor (or his/her designee). During the employees work shift (or any portion thereof) however. this provision shall not apply in the event the employee had leave scheduled for the entire workweek (e.g.: Monday-Friday).
ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES
Article 16 Section 7
When an employee is required to work despite the Governor (designee) ordering a closing of some or all of that employee's normal shift, the following shall apply: In addition to any overtime involving the shift, the employee shall receive straight compensatory time, in addition to the employees' regular pay, for the hours worked during the employee's normal shift when the State has been ordered closed.
Collective bargaining works. Know your rights!
posted 3/7