Contract Extension Agreement Reached

-7/7/2016

A contract extension agreement has been reached between the State and A&R.  An extension agreement is NOT a new contract, it is sort of a “bridge” between the expired contract and the successor agreement.  The extension is effective until a successor agreement is reached through the Collective Bargaining process.  According to the terms of this agreement, most, but not all of the rights in our expired contract will continue to be in effect until a successor agreement is approved.  In essence, the extension agreement carries forward the language portions of the contract but does not appropriate any “new money”.  This means we continue to have bumping rights, we continue to have AWS, sick leave bank, overtime guidelines, winter weather language, grievance procedures, transfer language and all other protections and benefits that the contract affords us.  However, we will not receive any of the “money” items until we have a successor agreement.

 According to CGS 5-278a, which governs lapsed bargaining unit contracts, the following items, and ONLY the following items needed to remain in effect for the State to be operating within the letter of the law:

  1. Salaries
  2. Differentials
  3. Overtime
  4. Longevity
  5. Allowances for uniforms

Some of the notable items that are not available through the “bridge” contract:

  1. No GWI/COLA in July 2016
  2. No Step increases/Top Step payment in January 2017
  3. No new Tuition Reimbursement funds
  4. No new Professional Development funds

 

Another notable aspect is that during the “bridge” period, Article 13 section 8 will be expired giving the State the ability to contract out; this protection expired at the conclusion of our contract.  We will have it re-established in our next contract.

Separately, after lengthy discussions, OLR has finally agreed to cover 2015/16 tuition reimbursement requests.  This is a substantial and beneficial development as OLR had not released the requested funds for nearly 10 months.  Any pending unpaid requests should be processed/paid in the forthcoming month. 

Another issue of concern relates to Alternative Work Schedules.  There was wide-spread speculation that agencies could deny AWS requests absent our contract.  This concern can now be allayed as AWS will continue through this “bridge” period.  Further, the AWS/Weather Delay MOU will also continue.

Over the past several months we have taken many “pokes” at the Governor’s Office over their approach to contract negotiations.  However, it is becoming clear that the Governor’s Office sees the wisdom of operating in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.  We will continue the negotiation process for our new contract and we hope further cooperation from the State is forthcoming.

In solidarity

CTU-R Official Schedule of Meeting dates for 2017-18

   EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS

10:00 am

·      Tuesday,  March 6, 2018

Tuesday,  April 10,  2018

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

·        Tuesday, June 12, 2018

·        

GENERAL MEETINS @ 11:30

 

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Employee Spotlight

AFT Connecticut recently published an article spotlighting various Connecticut State Employees and the public services these Union members provide.  A&R is proud to have had one of our own members illuminated in the AFT Spotlight.  With pride we share the AFT article with you:   

Chancellor Page Reappointed; Trustees' Chair Outlines Year

Following is full text of a statement issued June 22 by Sam Collins, chair of the University of Maine System board of trustees:

Members of the University Community: As we move past the close of the 2015-2016 academic year, I wish to express the appreciation of the University of Maine System Board of Trustees to our valued faculty and staff for your scholarship, unwavering dedication to student success, and the great service you provide to Maine and its people. 

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