UConn Health Center

Demanding Action to Reverse Critical Short-Staffing Conditions

Mon, 10/04/2021 - 5:30pm
State employees who provide essential public services are urging Governor Ned Lamont take immediate steps to address safety issues compounded by unprecedented levels of short-staffing. They have requested an extension on his recent executive order mandating COVID-19 vaccinations to avert harmful consequences for frontline workers and the residents who depend on them. Tomorrow's compliance deadline threatens to strain public health and safety services already stretched to the breaking point by staff shortfalls.
 

Overcoming Challenges to Take a "Step in the Right Direction"

Fri, 07/30/2021 - 5:30pm
Despite the lingering economic effects of the pandemic, union members have since May continued to score substantial successes in collective bargaining negotiations. We are highlighting a local affiliate in this latest quarterly report that survived the fiscal fallout of COVID-19 and won a strong new contract. Their focus on tapping available federal relief resources paid off for a local community hit hard by the global public health crisis.
 

Winning Hassle-Free Workers' Comp for "Frontline Heroes”

Wed, 08/19/2020 - 5:30pm
Union activists in late July last month scored a major victory in the fight to protect “essential" employees recovering after contracting COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) on the job. Governor Ned Lamont on July 24 issued an executive order establishing a workers' compensation “presumption" for those sickened during their service on the frontline of the pandemic. The action followed months of pressure coordinated by the state’s labor movement and which engaged members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions.
 
Click here for the official executive order. 
 

Protecting Caregivers' Lives with Solution-Driven Unionism

Tue, 03/31/2020 - 2:30pm
Researchers and students teamed up with engineers and scientists to defend clinical care providers treating patients afflicted by COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). The fruits of their labor will replenish supplies of critical personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline heroes battling the pandemic’s spread. Working together, AFT Connecticut-affiliated local union members, their colleagues, students and administrators are demonstrating the power of collaboration when lives are literally on the line.
 

Lifting Up Managerial and Exempt Employees

Fri, 11/29/2019 - 6:30pm
Our state federation's ongoing efforts to empower a greater share of the public sector workforce with a voice on the job continue surging ahead. A week-long membership mobilization drive drew union leaders and activists from across the state — and the nation — this fall to AFT Connecticut's Rocky Hill headquarters. "ConnectiBlitz 2019" brought more than 60 managerial and exempt state employees into our labor family while at the same time strengthening one of our newest local affiliates.
 

Making Gains through the "Power of Solidarity"

Tue, 06/19/2018 - 5:30pm
On any given day of the year, leaders of one or more of AFT Connecticut’s 90 plus affiliates are exercising their fundamental collective bargaining rights. Whether negotiating contract terms or representing colleagues in a dispute with their employer, they're "at the table" to win better wages, benefits and working conditions. We're highlighting recent examples from the past three months demonstrating what the power of the "U and I in Union" can accomplish.
 

Winning Long-Overdue Respect for State Employees

Mon, 04/09/2018 - 5:30pm
Union members late last month celebrated the announcement of an immediate end to the terms "essential" and "nonessential" in public references to the state workforce. The news followed the labor movement's coordinated efforts to resist language that had for years devalued thousands of working women and men across Connecticut. More than symbolism, the executive order replacing the antiquated terminology demonstrates the true strength of the 'U' and 'I' in 'union' at a critical time for all public employees.
 

Gearing Up to Defeat a "Let Them Eat Cake" Approach

Fri, 03/09/2018 - 8:40am
Less than three months after its inaugural meeting, the legislative Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Growth last Friday released its draft recommendations (below) to the General Assembly. Considering the panel's domination by corporate executives, their proposals are unsurprisingly heavily tilted in favor of the ultra-rich. Still, their plan to silence the voices of Connecticut's working men and women are cause for genuine concern — and a call to action.
 

Fight for a Fair State Budget Moves Forward

Sat, 09/30/2017 - 10:30am
Following intense pressure to reject a damaging state budget narrowly adopted by lawmakers two weeks earlier, the governor on Thursday vetoed the toxic fiscal package produced by Republican legislative leadership. The action came after unions joined advocates for demonstrations and speak-outs across the state demanding better choices than failed and painful austerity policies. Our members played a vital role, turning up their efforts following a telephone town hall last weekend where the focus was on planning our next steps.
 

Spotlight: Making a Proper Diagnosis Possible

Sat, 09/23/2017 - 2:00pm
The general public has in recent years begun to appreciate the important work of forensic scientists, thanks in large part to popular Hollywood-produced television series and feature films. In the real world, their effectiveness depends on a team of skilled lab technologists behind the scenes. As the week recognizing the contributions of forensic professionals comes to a close, we're spotlighting a public employee who delivers these vital services while also helping educate future physicians.
 
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