HARTFORD, Conn. — A multi-year labor agreement recently ratified by 43,000 unionized Connecticut state employees cleared the state Senate on Friday.
The measure, which cleared the House of Representatives on Thursday, passed by a vote of 22 to 13 with one absent voter.
The four-year deal, which is retroactive to July 1, 2021, builds upon an agreement the state had reached in 2017 with the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition. It comes as the rate of inflation has soared to a 40-year high and wages in the U.S. have risen over the past year, giving workers the upper hand in the job market.
"We're in a post-covid world where employees and not employers rule the job market. We have to stabilize our workforce. You can't drive down any Main Street in Connecticut without seeing signs up of businesses looking for workers," said State Senator Cathy Osten, who voted in favor of the deal.
The SEBAC agreement will cost the state about $2 billion. Union leaders argue it is a benefit to everyone in Connecticut.
"Each of the 3 and a half million residents of our state are impacted by the public services state workers provide. Whether it's our transportation system, our environment and drinking water, system of public higher education institutions, the care that's provided to our most vulnerable citizens," said David Glidden, executive director of CSEA SEIU Local 2001.
Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) and Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore Paul Formica (R-East Lyme, who voted against the measure said the package "prioritizes growing government over tax relief for all families."
"At a time when the state is over collecting taxes from its residents, we must work return these dollars to all CT families—state workers included—not use these funds to grow government while CT families face historic financial struggles," the two said in a joint statement. "Instead, CT Democrats are rushing to spend on growing the size and cost of government. Connecticut's budget is balanced, in surplus, and exceeding revenues, meanwhile CT family budgets are struggling. They need relief now.
State employees said it's about protecting the public services they provide. Especially as many of them have been on the frontlines throughout the pandemic the past couple of years.
"The pandemic was a huge hit to the way that we do things and the danger that we face just walking through the doors every day. We've seen people that are mid-career simply walk away," said Amanda Tower, a corrections officer and member of AFSCME Local 391.
The union representing the faculty at Connecticut State Universities released a statement praising the bill's passing, calling it a "historic" agreement that will ensure the Connecticut communities' access to stable, reliable public safety, health and educational services.
“Thank you to the Senate for standing in solidarity with our faculty and students! But our fight isn’t over,” said Audra King, associate professor of philosophy at CCSU, “Now is the time to double down on our efforts to build an education system that can and will address the needs of every student, particularly students from underrepresented communities. Let’s fight harder to ensure that our colleges and universities have the support they need to provide the education our students deserve."
The 35 labor contracts, which were ratified by the various unions last month, include 2.5% general wage increases and step increases retroactive to July 1, 2021. The workers will also receive additional 2.5% general wage increases and step increases beginning July 1 and July 1, 2023. State and union officials are expected to meet again in the fourth year to negotiate wages.
The agreement also includes special lump-sum payments of $2,500 for active employees who’ve been on the job since March 31 and $1,000 for those employed as of July 15, 2022. There’s a pro-rated bonus for part-time employees.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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