I hope this newsletter finds you well in the new year. I am pleased to report that our union ended 2023 on a strong note: organizing to add more than 2,300 new members in total to our ranks; as well as activating our members at an unprecedented level to fight for contracts and legislation that secures better pay, health care, retirement security, and working conditions.
Council 4 is leading AFSCME across the country in more ways than one. When AFSCME International Union toured the country for the Staff The Front Lines hiring initiative last year, over 600 people attended the Hartford jobs fair, marking one of the highest turnouts of the whole bus tour. In addition, more AFSCME leaders from Council 4 have attended the Online Leadership Academy than from any other council or local in the country if you haven’t done so, make sure to visit education.afscme.org and create an account. It’s a super easy way to access high quality training on how to be a union leader!
These achievements show that we are ready to keep organizing, fighting, and winning in 2024. With the legislative session in full swing, we are looking forward to supporting you in making your voices heard at the Capitol, so our legislators understand what you need to keep serving the public with dignity and pride. Remember to sign up for Council 4's Lobby Day on April 17!
In solidarity,
Council 4 Executive Director
In January, I was happy to visit our members
“For A Day” at Groton Utilities, one of few publicly owned utilities in CT, AFSCME Local 1303-135. Click the photo below or scan the QR code to hear more about their work!
When Connecticut public defender attorneys (AFSCME Local 381) discovered in May their state attorney counterparts, the prosecutors, would receive wage increases to boost recruitment efforts in their ranks, they asked, “Why not us?”
Public defender attorneys with the CT Division of Public Defender Services and state prosecutors with the Division of Criminal Justice perform similar work As both agencies face difficulties in hiring qualified attorneys to carry out the mission of their agencies, the public defenders were justified in their questioning of fairness. Over the next several months they came together and won wage parity with the state prosecutors.
The spirit of not giving up and overcoming roadblocks was a major theme of their success and helped fuel the public defenders in their pursuit
“You learn as a public defender if you try and keep working at it, you can do stuff that nobody thought you could do,” Laila Haswell, Local 381 President said “Persistence is key ”
Haswell is a Senior Assistant Public Defender in the Legal Services Unit and has worked for the Division for 24 years. She represents over 150 public defender attorneys working across state offices to provide legal services to persons accused of crimes who are unable to afford legal assistance as required by both the U S and state constitutions
After learning about the new wage agreement between state prosecutors and the administration, Haswell approached the Division’s Human Resources to request parity. When she was told parity was impossible because funds allocated by the General Assembly were already budgeted for, she refused to simply take their word for it.
“It occurred to me not to let that go before I thoroughly investigated it,” Haswell said. “I figured there may be a way. I didn't know what it would be, but I thought there might be a path to doing this ” At first it was difficult for Haswell to get information on how it could work
She talked to union leaders of the CT Association of Prosecutors and counsel for the governor ’ s office. She spoke to experts outside the Division and worked with Council 4 staff to calculate how much parity would cost Brian Anderson, Council 4 Legislative and Political Director, assisted in gathering information and talking to state officials. All the while management kept saying it could not be done.
In September, the union learned during a Public Defender Services Commission meeting that there was a surplus that could be used for the wage increases. Local leaders were shocked to realize the Division had a surplus that would fund the increases, since last fiscal year surpluses were given back to the legislature.
The Commission is an independent body that oversees the workings of the DPDS. When they learned of the pay discrepancies, all the Commission members supported parity.
The Commission directed the Chief Public Defender to negotiate with the union and allow the raises to be finalized. On October 5, Haswell and Council 4 staff representative attorney, Anthony Bento, met with management to reconcile the numbers and revise the agreement, which allowed most bargaining unit members to receive a salary upgrade Those eligible received on average an 11% general wage increase and a lump sum since modifications were applied retroactively.
The union now saw a viable pathway, but still had to negotiate with the administration who was attempting to hold off discussions until 2024.
“The major problem was management not wanting to do this,” Haswell said “They said they couldn’t afford it They said the Office of Policy and Management had to approve it, then said it was the legislature. They said the prosecutors had a [special] clause in their contract that allowed them to reopen it [for wage negotiations]. Then they wanted to wait until January The way they put us off and didn’t engage was difficult ”
A turning point came when the union spoke to the Public Defender Services Commission in public session.
For the public defenders, parity with the prosecutors is more than just higher wages It’s affirmation that their work is invaluable and an essential piece of fostering a more equitable justice system.
“It’s critical for public confidence in us, ” Haswell said “There’s this idea that we ’ re not real lawyers. So, for us to be behind the prosecutors sort of confirmed that stereotype. We’re representing mostly Black and Brown people. It’s intolerable that we would not make as much as the people who are putting them in jail It’s fundamentally unfair to our clients ”
The new raises would also aid recruitment of more attorneys and help balance their exceptionally high caseloads.
In the shoreline town of Stonington, a group of dedicated paraeducators is slowly building a movement for union power The journey began in March 2022 when members of AFSCME Local 1996 decided to mobilize at Board of Education (BOE) meetings. Their mission: standing up for respect and the needs of their students, while also actively shaping the future of education in their community
With the rallying cry of "Paras Matter!", Stonington paras in AFSCME green shirts and “Paras matter” signs rallied through the halls of Stonington BOE Their primary concern was wages – a struggle that resonated with at least 25 paras, teachers, and parents who spoke at a BOE meeting in November 2023 The stark wage disparity between Stonington and neighboring Westerly, where starting salaries were $5-6 more, became a rallying point.
“I pointed out [to the BOE] that someone could start at Dominos and make a better starting pay than we do – without any responsibilities for children, like running active shooting drills,” said Michelle Mania, President of Stonington Paraeducators Union (AFSCME Local 1996).
Local 1996 has mobilized for every BOE meeting except one since March 2022. Mania has been a driving force behind this movement. After a year as union vice president, she stepped up in January 2022 when her predecessor was elected to the BOE in November 2021
Recognizing the importance of unity and engagement, she initiated a contest to encourage Local 1996 members who hadn't attended BOE meetings to participate
they are fighting for the students they serve “We are the ones making the accommodations for students to be successful and we don’t want a student to have a para throughout their career, ” Mania said. “We are a behavioral intervention. Our goal is to get that foundation of trust, so we can get the student back on track.”
Short staffing is a major issue that Mania and Local 1996 is looking to take on that impacts the students who need the most support “When we are short staffed, we don’t make suitable pay, we don’t have a healthy sick time package, and paras get shipped around [to fill in the gaps],” she said. “Students who have developed a rapport with a specific para suddenly lose that person and that relationship of trust All of us – teachers, paras, students, and parents – deserve better than that.”
Last year, Stonington paras made their voices heard for Para Lobby Day at the state capital in Hartford They met with their State Representative Greg Howard who pledged support for a bill to improve wages, health care, and retirement security for paras. Their collective advocacy efforts, combined with those of Council 4’s Legislative team and Staff Representative Tricia Santos, helped secure a “game-changing” Paras Healthcare Subsidy Program: a one-time $5 million stipend that will pay up to 74 percent of out-of-pockethealth care costs.
Howver, the struggle for paraeducator living wages persists both in Stonington and on the state level through the General Assembly. Local 1996 has built undeniable momentum to keep the fight going.
This innovation involved a lottery for gift certificates for those attending meetings. This effort saw a surge of paras attending meetings, marking a collective step toward building a stronger and more united front It made such a difference that the BOE chair acknowledged the value of paraeducators to Stonington students and that their consistent presence and advocacy was impactful. Stonington paras are not just seeking better contracts for themselves;
Short staffing has also forced paras to play multifaceted roles. One Local 1996 member with over a decade of service was told by a fifth-grader that she was "just a para " Heartbroken but unbowed, she gave testimony to the BOE that listed all her wideranging responsibilities that ended with a blunt, “but I’m just a para. ” Stonington paras started bringing signs saying “I’m not just a para ” to future BOE meetings, highlighting roles paras play as behaviorists, interventionists, and countless more
As contract negotiations began in January 2024, Mania and Local 1996 leaders are committed to boosting membership participation, strengthening unity, and demonstrating to the board, state leaders, and district that paraeducators are an essential and united force for positive change
Pictured: Stonington Paraeducators at a Board of Education meeting in November 2023.
On November 8, over 300 people attended
Council 4's biennial Law Enforcement Awards at the Aria Banquet Hall in Prospect This year
Council 4 awarded 36 police and correction officer members for their dedication to public service and going above and beyond in the line of duty.
The following members received awards in the presence of their colleagues and families:
Stratford Police Union Local 407
Officer Lawrence Overby
Sergeant Joseph Maida
Detective Stephen Santoro
Lieutenant Robert Rosenbaum
Officer John Facto
Officer John Cannata
Captain Anthony Rhew
Detective Glynn McGlynn
CT State Correction Employees
Local 1565
Correction Officer Christina Deeter
Correction Officer Jose Diaz
Correction Officer Timothy Titus
Correction Officer Sierra Baker
Correction Officer Thomas Membrino
CT State Correction Employees
Local 391
Correction Officer Burnett Pollock
Correction Officer Zachary Catala
Correction Officer Thomas Kruzel
Cheshire State Correction Employees
Local 387
Correction Officer Sean Ross
New London Police Union Local 724
Lieutenant Cornelius Rodgers
Officer Michael Lewis
Officer Seth Bolduc
New Britain Police Local 1165
Detective Christopher Kiely
Sergeant Ryan Coleman
Sergeant Matthew Mroczko
Lieutenant Donald Anderson
Acting Detective Jason Walker
Officer Tyler Grant
Bridgeport Police Union Local 1159
Officer Jeremy Scialdoni
Officer Erica Illescas
Officer Daniel Ortiz
Officer Adam Szeps
Officer Jammal Vaughn
Middletown Police Union Local 1361
Detective Karli Travis
Derby Police Union Local 1376
Officer Patrick Foley
Wallingford Police Union Local 1570
Officer Aaron Grimaldi
Special awards were given to the families of fallen Bristol police offers Lieutenant Dustin Delmonte and Sergeant Alex Hamzy who were killed in the line of duty last year. Bristol officer Alec Iurato, who sustained injuries during the shooting, was also recognized Montville Officer Dan Witts and his K-9 German Shepard Barrett, who was killed in the line of duty in 2022, were also given special recognition.
Travis exemplified bravery and courage on a call for service in Aug 2023 that resulted in an officer involved shooting She was recognized for her heroism in this encounter during Council 4's Law Enforcement Awards in Nov 2023
Pictured above: New Britain Police Union
October 2023 to January 2024
The Connecticut General Assembly 2024 Regular Session convened February 7th and adjourns May 8th.
Support:
Oppose:
Attempts to weaken binding arbitration for state, municipal, and Board of Education employees
Establishment of portal-to-portal workers' compensation coverage (WCC) for Public Works employees.
Re-staffing at the municipal, state agency, and BOE level Support racial justice legislation from SEBAC
Necessary increases in staffing to preserve public safety.
Support:
Funding for local Boards of Education and the CSCU system/UConn
Improving paraprofessionals’ wages, health care, retirement and professional development.
Expansion of FML coverage to include non-certified Board of Education employees.
Oppose:
Attacks on municipal employee pensions and their pension rights.
Efforts to unilaterally change state employee pension and health care rights.
Attacks on due process rights of any of our members.
Support: Restoring taxes on the wealthy to provide revenue for state services and municipal aid.
Increasing state grants to local Boards of Education to protect vital services
Creating an exception to allow a municipality to transfer its retired employees to the CT State Partnership Plan
Stopping Corrupt Privatization While Improving Accountability
Efforts to privatize state, municipal, or quasi-public agencies and/or the use of AI to replace public employees.
Expansion of public-private partnerships for state and municipal services.
Any recommendations for a public-private partnership at the UConn Health Center
Efforts to fund or expand Charter Schools.
After Meriden public works employees with AFSCME
Local 740 cast a unanimous vote of no confidence in the Meriden Public Utilities director, they mobilized for a city council meeting to speak about how the city needs proper management to ensure the quality of Meriden's public drinking water.
“Our job is to serve the best interests of Meriden residents,” said Tim Talento, president of AFSCME
Local 740 “It’s up to city leaders to work with us when we identify issues that could affect the public. We don’t want Meriden to have the potential to become the next Flint, Michigan, when it comes to the protection of our public drinking water.”
Council 4 staff supported Dan "The Sweeper" Mc President of the Putnam Custodians Union (AFSC Local 1303-087) in speaking out at a Putnam Boar Education meeting about ABM Industries, a janito company notorious for anti-worker practices; and and his coworkers' unjust termination by them; c on Putnam BOE to end their contract with ABM
We were grateful to be joined by Putnam residen from Cargill Tenants Union, who made it loud an that Putnam students deserve schools taught by u teachers and cleaned by union custodians.
October 2023 to January 2024
State Marshals mobilize State Marshals mobilize for Capitol public hearing for Capitol public hearing
CT State Marshals, AFSCME Local 2193, showed up in force at the Capitol, calling on lawmakers to extend health care benefits to state marshals to support recruitment and equity.
NP-3 State Clerical Administrative members
NP-3 State Clerical Administrative members attend Stewards training attend Stewards training
NP-3 State Clerical members took a Stewards training led by NP-3 presidents from Locals 196, 318, 478, 610, and 704, learning about collective bargaining, grievance handling, engaging new members, and more!
Connecticut Judicial employees (Local 749) took a stewards training with Council 4 Organizers, learning about grievances and labor charges, mobilizing members, and more!
State Judicial members State Judicial members attend Stewards training attend Stewards training
Wages, benefits and working conditions are protected by a legal contract.
A co w much s. Union r everyone.
Management can change wages, benefits and working conditions unilaterally.
No one knows how much anyone else earns. Disparate treatment or favoritism exists.
Member act and if they feel it' , y y ote it down.
If you a ns provide due against unscrupulous supervisors.
If you g at work, you with your union to change it.
If you want a raise, you must plead your case to a supervisor or manager.
If you are disciplined, you are on your own as an at-will employee. You are subject solely to policy.
If you don't like something at work, you are at the mercy of management.
This year, the Connecticut AFL-CIO Health and Safety Committee, as part of its efforts to “ mourn the dead but fight like hell for the living,” is offering a scholarship essay contest to inspire high school seniors to think about the importance of workplace health and safety, of the consequences that arise when workers are forced to toil in unsafe working conditions and of the role that organized labor has played in protecting workers both in the past and present.
1st Prize is $2,000
2nd Prize is $1,500
3rd Prize is $1,000
All entries will be judged anonymously on content, originality and clarity of vision. The winners of this contest will be asked to share a portion of their essay during our 2024 Worker Memorial Day event on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 12 pm, at the Bushnell Park Worker Memorial, Hartford.
The completed essay and application must be received by April 1, 2024.
March 19: Winter Training History of AFSCME and Labor Unions
March 21: Winter Training — Officers, Executive Boards, Stewards
March 29: Good Friday (Council 4 office closed)
April 1: Workers Memorial Day Essay Contest Deadline
April 2: Presidential Primary Election
April 3: Para Appreciation Day + Para Lobby Day
April 4: Council 4 Presidents +1 Meeting
April 4: Council 4 Executive Board Meeting
April 4: Council 4 Delegates Meeting
April 6: Council 4 Special Delegates Meeting
April 17: Council 4 Lobby Day
April 28: Workers’ Memorial Day