Month: April 2022

GOVERNOR LAMONT SUBMITS SEBAC AGREEMENT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that pursuant to the ratification of the agreement his administration reached on the 35 collectively bargained contracts with the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC), his administration has transmitted the contracts and accompanying details to the Connecticut General Assembly for its consideration.

“I want to thank our partners within SEBAC, the 35 bargaining units, and our staff for negotiating a responsible and fair deal for our unionized state employees,” Governor Lamont said. “The parties entered these discussions knowing the stakes. The state has to live within its means just like the families and businesses we serve and represent, but this is also a unique situation where state employees did extraordinary work during a paradigm-altering pandemic, inflation has concurrently increased, and the state workforce could potentially undergo significant changes due to retirements and uncompetitive wages. With this agreement, we were able to achieve those goals in a realistic way that does not imperil our future prospects and honors the great service that has and will continue to benefit our residents. This agreement provides a clear message to our state employees that we value their contributions to our residents while also providing a solid platform from which to recruit the next generation of public servants to our ranks.”

The wage contracts were tentatively agreed upon in early March and were ratified by the respective unions this week. By statute, the contracts now go before the state legislature.

Documents: SEBAC 2022 Complete Submissions (93.1 MB) 

These wage agreements include 2.5% general wage increases and step increases retroactive to July 1, 2021, and then prospectively for each of July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023. In the fourth year, the parties will meet again to negotiate on wages. Also, these agreements include special lump sum payments ($2,500 for active employees who were with the state before March 31, 2022, $1,000 for those employed on July 15, 2022, and a pro-rated bonus for part-time employees). The cost estimates for these new wage contracts are still under development, as eligibility determinations are being finalized across all affected funds. Those estimates will be reviewed by the Office of Fiscal Analysis when the final package is submitted to the legislature.

For non-represented staff, legislation was enacted last year that directed equity in salary adjustments between represented and non-represented employees. The action to designate the extension of these wage increases to non-represented staff will require an item approved by the Office of Policy and Management. Additional reviews related to compression and inversion issues for non-represented staff will be conducted over the next several months. These reviews will be conducted in collaboration with executive agencies.

Additionally, the issue of hazard or pandemic pay was not part of these negotiations and will be resolved as part of another agreement.

This press release was made possible by:

Drive-By Shooting Shuts Down I-95

2022-04-01@11:50am–#Fairfield CT– #cttraffic– Fairfield Police confirmed that I-95 is shutdown between 23 and 24 while police look for shell casing during a drive-by shooting on the highway. They were not able to confirm if anyone was hit but viewers have told me there is a large police presence at Bridgeport Hospital with lots of people crying.

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG RELEASES GUIDANCE ON GAS TAX HOLIDAY COMPLAINTS

Attorney General William Tong today released consumer guidance on reporting suspected violations of the state gas tax holiday.

Starting today, April 1, and ending on June 30, 2022, the 25 cent state tax on gasoline is suspended under Special Act 22-2. The law requires that retailers reduce their price per-gallon by the amount of the excise tax, $0.25. Any gas station suspected of charging that tax, or a portion of that tax, during this gas tax holiday will be subject to investigation by the Office of the Attorney General pursuant to the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. Acting in coordination with the Department of Consumer Protection, the Office of the Attorney General may file suit against retailers found to be in violation of this law and seek appropriate relief, including injunctive terms, restitution, and civil financial penalties designed to deter future unscrupulous sellers.

“Starting today, April 1, the 25-cent state tax on gasoline is suspended. Any retailer suspected of charging this tax or a portion of this tax will be investigated and subject to penalties under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act,” said Attorney General Tong. “It’s important to remember that prices at the pump will continue to fluctuate along with changes in wholesale prices. Not every increase, or decrease, in gasoline prices is related to the $.25 tax or constitutes price gouging. Every complaint will be investigated and all facts will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. You can help our investigations by sharing as much detail as possible in your complaints, including receipts if possible. Please include in your complaints the address of the gas station, the date and time of your purchase, and the exact price you paid.”

Consumers are encouraged to file complaints online using the Office of the Attorney General complaint portal: https://www.dir.ct.gov/ag/complaint/This press release was made possible by:

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