HARTFORD, CT) – The Lamont administration and leadership of the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC), which represents several Connecticut state employees unions, have reached an agreement resolving disputes related to telework and its role in transitioning state employees back into the workplace following the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the pandemic first emerged in the United States in early 2020, Governor Ned Lamont acted quickly and directed all executive branch state employees who were able to telework to do so. This revised agreement settles some concerns regarding the transition back to the workplace and the role that telework will have in the work of state employees moving forward. The governor maintains discretion to return to higher levels of telework consistent with his emergency powers as set forth in legislation approved by the Connecticut General Assembly.

Highlights of the major provisions included in the revised agreement include:

• For 60 days following the execution of the revised agreement (the reset period) employees who were teleworking prior to Governor Ned Lamont’s May 13 email have the choice of returning to their pre-July 1 schedule (i.e. the one that was in effect during the approximate period of March 2020 through July 1, 2021), or they can continue with whatever is in place today.
• The 60-day period is August 3, 2021 to October 2, 2021.
• This choice to return to the pre-July 1 schedule does not apply to hazardous duty employees, or “those whose consistent presence at the work site or in the field is now required because of the reopening of in-person operations which were suspended during the pre-July 1, 2021, period.”
• If operations have reopened at an employee’s worksite or in the field and those operations can’t be performed by teleworking at a 50% schedule, the employee will only be approved for the amount of telework, if any, that can be performed from the employee’s home.
• Following the 60-day period through December 31, 2021, eligible employees (covered under the “reset period”) will be eligible to apply to telework at as high a percentage of their scheduled hours as they believe is consistent with operational needs and job duties. These applications will be submitted during the reset period so that there will be time for review prior to the expiration of the 60 days.
• A request of 50% of scheduled work hours or less by these employees will be granted. Requests above the 50% cap may be approved “if, in the opinion of the agency head, following review of such request and the input of the employee’s supervisors or managers, job duties and operational needs support such action.”
• Management’s decisions regarding telework greater than 50% during the post-reset period are not subject to challenge.
• COVID-fragile employees (due to their own or a family member’s serious medical condition) may telework up to 100% of the scheduled hours through December 31, 2021.
• The revised agreement incorporates a structure for negotiation, and if necessary, arbitration of a final agreement which we expect to be effective by December 31, 2021. The parties have agreed to immediate implementation of that new agreement or award.
• If a particular provision requires a legislative appropriation and approval, it could not be implemented before mid-March of 2022.
• Unless the parties reach an agreement, the issue of “what, if any, cap shall be imposed on the number of days or percentage of the scheduled work hours, during the biweekly pay period, an eligible employee may telework” is one that will be arbitrated this fall.

This press release was made possible by:

2021-08-02@ 5:41pm SUNDAY– Police said that a delivery driver was robbed by 4 males while on Sunshine Circle. His phone was taken and they tried by failed to take his car.

This news report is made possible by:

#Bridgeport CT–Bridgeport Press Release

On August 2^nd, 2021, US Marshalls Violent Fugitive Task Force made up of several BPD Detectives, Federal Agents along with the United States Marshals Service, did an outstanding job apprehending suspect Dominique Jones DOB 5/29/1993. The Bridgeport Police Detective Bureau obtained an arrest warrant for Jones stemming from a daytime shooting which occurred on 2/16/2021. The shooting occurred on the city’s west side near the intersection of Maplewood Avenue and Howard Avenue. Jones is a convicted felon who has been previously charged and convicted on separate firearm related charges. 

Jones was charged with  

• Conspiracy to commit Assault 1^St with a Firearm  
• Illegal Discharge of a Firearm  
• Reckless Endangerment 1^st Degree  
• Criminal Possession of a Firearm  

Bond set at $250,000

2021-08-03@6:40pm–#Bridgeport CT– Firefighters and marine unit dispatched to rescue people on the seawall again at Seaside Park in front of the cannons.

This news report is made possible by:

#Bridgeport CT– #Fairfield CT– Many of you have reached out to find out when the milling/repaving on Fairfield Avenue will be completed. I checked and found out the worst is behind us. Milling is completed and repaving has begun.

The resurfacing segment of this project is anticipated to be performed on Sunday, July 18, 2021, through Thursday, August 12, 2021.

This project is included in the Department of Transportation’s 2021 Vendor Resurfacing Program.

Motorists can expect lane closures on Route 130. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The night work schedule for this project is 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (Sunday night through Saturday morning).

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to remain alert, drive cautiously, and to maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.

 Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) announced that Sacred Heart University, Fairfield University, and University of Bridgeport will receive $4,904,990 in grant funding from the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program (BHWET). This Health and Human Service program works to increase access to quality mental health services by increasing the number of mental health professionals.  

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the number of Americans experiencing difficulties with mental health,” said Himes. “In 2020, we saw a nearly 30% increase in drug overdose deaths, partially caused by pandemic-related stress and lack of access to mental health services; the shortage of mental health professionals is a major contributor to this lack of access. As our communities move past COVID-19, a lot of the trauma remains, which is why ensuring there are enough mental health professionals in our area is more urgent than ever. I’m pleased to see federal dollars come to the district for such a worthy cause and I’m committed to increasing federal funding to address the mental health crisis.”  

“Fairfield University is committed to the professional development of men and women who serve others,” said Dr. Christine Siegel, Provost of Fairfield University. “We are at our best when we do this work in partnership with the community and in-service to those most in need. We are proud to receive this HRSA grant which will support a diverse student population in our excellent graduate mental health programs in ways that contribute to the well-being of individuals and families in Bridgeport and other local communities.” 

“The COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted how factors such as job security, health insurance, and healthy food impact health outcomes, and how difficult it can be for many in marginalized communities to access high quality medical and behavioral health care,” said Dr. Julie Berrett-Abebe, LICSW, Assistant Professor, Family Therapy & Social Work, School of Education & Human Development. “Funding through the BHWET grant will allow us to better train our behavioral health graduate students to work in innovative integrated care models in underserved areas. By collaborating with community partners and harnessing the strengths of the community and professional team members, we hope to contribute to reducing disparities and improving health in Connecticut.” 

“Clinical Researchers developed these therapies that are proven to help people, but dissemination to community clinics is slow,” said Dr. Allison Buller, Program Chair and RP! Project Director at the University of Bridgeport. “This grant will enable us to train a cohort of Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Radically Prepared to serve the community using the highest quality of care.” 

“Sacred Heart University School of Social Work has been awarded a federal grant in the amount of $1.78 million for four years from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Professionals,” said Dr. Victoria A. Osborne-Leute, MSW, Assistant Professor Sacred Heart University, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Social Work. “The program, titled ‘Making IMPACTS: Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care: Training for Social Work’ will increase access to quality behavioral health services among underserved and high need areas and populations. In collaboration with SHU’s Master of Public Health, Physician Assistant, and Volunteer and Service Learning Programs, the project will involve the development and expansion of field placements/internships to build the behavioral health workforce with community-based partners in integrated, interdisciplinary behavioral and primary care settings.” 

According to the Health and Human Services’ Health Resources & Services Administration, the BHWET Program for Professionals aims to increase the supply of behavioral health professionals while also improving the distribution of a quality behavioral health workforce and thereby increasing access to behavioral health services. A special focus is placed on the knowledge and understanding of children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth at risk for behavioral health disorders. 

This news report is made possible by:

2021-08-02@ 5:41pm SUNDAY– Police said that a delivery driver was robbed by 4 males while on Sunshine Circle. His phone was taken and they tried by failed to take his car.

This news report is made possible by:

2021-08-03@12:51am–#Bridgeport CT– #Fairfield CT– Bridgeport Police warned Fairfield Police of 4 males who attempted to enter a home in the 800 block of Burnsford Avenue which is across from Merritt Street across from Park Avenue. They believe it was part a group wanted for home invasions. They were last seen on Madison Avenue towards Thorme Street. Way to warn your citizens Mayor Ganim! No mention home invasions at all even though I ask for significant incidents twice a week.

This news report is made possible by:

2021-08-02@11:37pm–#Milford CT– #Stratford CT– #cttraffic– Today’s 2nd vehicle fire is right on the Moses Wheeler Bridge I-95 northbound. Everyone is out of the vehicle.

UPDATE: Assistant Fire Chief Schuyler Sherwood told me there is an unidentified chemical spill in the basement and they are waiting for the rest of the Hazmat team to assemble before making entry. They are monitoring air quality levels throughout the hospital and all readings are normal and they will continue to monitor the air quality.

2021-08-02 @5:42pm– #Fairfield CT– Firefighters called to Regal Care at Southport at 930 Mill Hill Terrace for the smell of oil or something similar in the basement. Firefighters have called out the area Hazmat team to the scene. Whatever it is, our sponsor can make it like it never even happened!