Your union e-newsletter!
Welcome to the latest issue of Inside Council 4, with links to recent webstories that feature and uplift AFSCME Council 4 members, a calendar of events, and info about how to stay connected
Council 4 has new leadership! Stacie Harris-Byrdsong (President Local 3194, CREC) and Sheryl Feducia (VP Local 714, DSS) became President and Secretary of Council 4 as voted by the Executive Board We thank President Bernie Bombardier (Local 1933, East Hartford Custodians) for his years of service and welcome Stacie and Sheryl as new Council 4 leaders
New Haven unions secure contract with the city
After three years of negotiating with the city, nearly 800 New Haven clerical and professional management employees have a new contract Members of AFSCME Local 884, representing clerical employees, and AFSCME Local 3144, representing New Haven professional management employees, will benefit from the new agreements after working without an active contract for three years Read more.
Council 4 scholarship winners say unions are integral to their past and future
Two students from AFSCME Council 4 families will head to college this Fall with some help from their union family Council 4 selected Logan German and Emma DeVito as the winners of the 2023 Education Scholarships Each will receive $2,000 – renewable for up to four years Read more.
AFSCME COUNCIL 4
We're a 30,000-member strong labor union fighting for the rights and freedoms of Connecticut workers
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Jody Barr, Executive Director
Stacie Harris-Byrdsong, President Sheryl Feducia, Secretary
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Troy Raccuia, Director of Collective Bargaining
Kelly Martinez, Director of Organizing & Member Services
Amy O'Connor, Chief of Staff
Megan Batchelder, Executive Assistant
COMMUNICATIONS STAFF
Bryan Chong, Communications Assistant and Inside Council 4 Editor
Renee Hamel, Communications Associate Director
444 East Main St , New Britain, CT 06051
Phone: 860-224-4000 - Fax: 860-224-3041
Email: membership@council4 org
In April, Council 4 hosted its first biennial conference since the pandemic We celebrated union achievements, honored loss during the pandemic, and learned new ways to grow our union. We also had big wins for workers this legislative session Council 4 members advocated for bills supporting workers and public services through testimony, letters to legislators and on Council 4 Lobby Day
On September 6, AFSCME Staff the Frontlines, a national bus tour helping solve the staffing crisis, is coming to Hartford We hope to see you at this exciting event that will include a Jobs Fair with over 20 state agencies, including municipal jobs in towns and schools
New contract raises the bar for Waterbury city workers
Waterbury city workers have something more to celebrate Over 400 blue-collar workers with AFSCME Local 353 won a contract that will provide generous wage increases over four years without major increases in their health care costs – an unprecedented accomplishment they never expected
The contract which was approved in May, with wage increases retroactive to June 2022, includes a new salary schedule with higher minimum and maximum wage rates, along with an overall average wage increase of 13.6 percent.
Read more.
"We have to be part of the movement moving forward. Because if we ' re not, then why have the union?" Eddie Cabrera, Local 353 President
Strides for workers during 2023 legislative session
The Connecticut General Assembly ended its recent legislative session on June 7 In this “long” session and budget year, Council 4 members worked in tandem with political staff to achieve significant wins for working people across the state
After a three-year hiatus, Council 4’s Lobby Day returned on May 17 with a lively spirit as more than 50 members came to the Capitol in their AFSCME green to advocate for bills supporting the work they do for their communities
Read more.
featuring Margo Jones, Council 4 Local 704 member
What happens when the people who deliver lifesaving benefits need help?
featuring Sheryl Feducia, Council 4 Secretary and Local 714 member
AFSCME ‘Staff the Front Lines’ bus tour seeks to solve staffing crisis in public service
From Father To Son: Legacy of Labor Carries in Medina Family
Wilfredo Medina Sr., former special police officer (SPO) and AFT Local 1018-D union leader, and his son Wilfredo "Fred" Medina Jr., AFSCME Council 4 Executive Board member and Local 714 President, reflect on the legacy of labor from father to son. Read more.
PTSI Awareness: What Workers Should Know About This Silent Injury
For years, Council 4 has fought for posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) workers' compensation benefits for all workers For PTSI Awareness Month, we interviewed Emma Ohlund, LMSW, clinician and Vice President of AFSCME Local 1303-71. Emma discusses PTSI and how a related new bill will greatly benefit Connecticut workers
Read more.
Council 4 PEOPLE Committee Elects New Leadership
Council 4's PEOPLE Committee elected new leadership on April 16 during the Council 4 biennial conference, including officers for each congressional district and the statewide steering committee PEOPLE officers lead the committee’s electoral efforts in interviewing and endorsing laborfriendly candidates. It is imperative for elected officials to support Council 4’s mission of protecting and expanding pay, retirement security and health care. Read more.
Council 4 Biennial Conference
After a three year hiatus, Council 4's Biennial Conference returned with the theme "Members Organizing Members: Building our Power" Over 180 members and retirees attended the April 14-16 conference held in Mystic, including many first time attendees Members participated in workshops and panel discussions on politics and organizing, and learned new ways to organize and build a stronger union Dedicated unionists who go the extra mile for their union siblings, or are outstanding citizens making a difference in their community or in someone ’ s life were nominated by their Locals and recognized during an awards ceremony on Saturday evening.
2023 Steve Curran Veterans' Memorial Day Appreciation Outing
Council 4's annual Veterans' Memorial Day outing was dedicated this year to Steve Curran, former Council 4 service representative, Local 1565 Executive Board member, correctional officer, and veteran Steve championed this event for years "We know Steve would want us to carry on As a committee we decided to change the name [of the event] in his honor," Linette Gaunichaux, Co-Chair of the Veteran’s Committee, said Veterans, Council 4 members and staff enjoyed the comradery, lunch, music, and reflected on the many service men and women heroes who never made it home
Correction Officer Local 391 Press Conference
Following a June 10th assault at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution that left a correctional officer (CO) critically injured, front line COs of Local 391 held a press conference calling for more support to minimize safety risks and address the mental health of correctional officers due to dangerous working conditions "We need people to understand what we endure and what we must be equipped to handle to maintain our mental health as well as the orderly and safe operation of a correctional facility so that we may go home to our loved ones, " said Doug LaMountain, Local 391 executive board member.
World Youth Skills Day: Honoring John Walton
For World Youth Skills Day, we highlighted John Walton, AFSCME Local 566 President (Hartford BOE workers) Every summer and fall, Walton teaches 15-18 year old students custodial and soft trade work, such as electrical and plumbing at their neighborhood schools
"Our program creates an investment in children in their learning facilities If they feel they are part of the process of maintaining their education facilities, then they feel they are a part of the process of their own education," said Walton
Civil Rights Committee Juneteenth Cookout
For Juneteenth 2023, the Council 4 Civil Rights Committee organized a cookout right outside the Council building, hosting union and community members for a beautiful day of fellowship and fun Shellye Davis, Connecticut AFL-CIO Executive Vice President was a keynote speaker
AAPI Heritage Month: Celebrating Asian Americans in labor
For AAPI Heritage Month, we highlighted Freesia Waldron, AFSCME Local 381 (State Public Defenders) Executive Board member. Freesia is a Deputy Assistant Public Defender for the Division of Public Defender Services in New Haven.
Council 4 and the Connecticut AFL-CIO's Racial and Economic Justice Committee hosted an "AAPI Community, Identity, and Labor" panel. Moderated by Council 4 Communications Associate Director Renee Hamel, the panel featured Attorney General William Tong, UAW Region 9A Service Rep Mikayla Vu, and future Council 4 staffer Bryan Chong. Panelists discussed the history of Asian Americans in labor across the country and in CT, and highlighted organizations like the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO.
Public service jobs ensure communities stay safe, healthy, and strong. And because they are good union jobs, they have the wages, protections, and benefits you need for a secure and happy livelihood.
AFSCME Council 4's jobs fair will feature over 15 state agencies, including the CT DMV, Department of Correction, Department of Children & Families, and multiple municipal jobs in towns and schools including Hartford, East Hartford, as well as CREC and MDC. Sign
Wed, Sep 6, 11am-2pm Hartford Yard Goats Club
Hartford
