University of Connecticut (UConn)

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.
 

Making Our Collective Voice "Heard in the Voting Booth"

Tue, 11/19/2019 - 6:30pm
The vote tallies in the 2019 General Election say it all; 23 members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated local unions across the state won their respective races for municipal office. There is no debating the value of backing our sisters and brothers when they step up to show their communities that “labor is your neighbor.” Importantly, it also points to the path for restoring working peoples' political power as nationally important elections in 2020 draw near.
 
Click here for final election results in races in which AFT Connecticut made endorsements.
 

"U & I in Union:" Protecting the Jobs of Our "Extended Family"

Fri, 07/27/2018 - 12:30pm
Little causes trepidation more than when, amid economic cutbacks, the human resources department calls for a meeting. That's when the value of both a strong collective bargaining agreement and co-workers with a commitment to solidarity becomes acutely clear. We're highlighting a higher education professional's personal experience in these precise circumstances to demonstrate that the “U and I in Union” is how members can effectively maintain job security.
 

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.
 

Mobilizing to "Protect Our Freedom to Negotiate"

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 6:30pm
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguments in a corporate-funded lawsuit aimed directly at public employees across the country. That afternoon in Connecticut, union members gathered at simultaneous demonstrations to show the case's backers that working people aren’t backing down. All this took place as our state federation's leaders moved forward a plan to build greater strength for the future, regardless of the high court's ruling.
 

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.
 

Rejecting the Failure to Deliver Shared Prosperity

Fri, 05/19/2017 - 5:00pm
The governor and lawmakers from both parties this past week released three separate proposals for narrowing wider state budget gaps anticipated in the next two fiscal years. These political leaders once again failed to offer long-term solutions that would grow the economy or commonsense strategies to stop endless cycles of deficits. Instead, their latest proposals rely heavily on austerity policies that would unfairly balance the budget on the backs of working families.
 
Click here for a side-by-side comparison of the proposals.
 

State Employees Defend a Voice for All Working People

Tue, 02/28/2017 - 5:00pm
Thousands of union members last week packed the Legislative Office Building (LOB) in Hartford to express their opposition to a dozen bills threatening a voice for all working people. The legislation — all sponsored by Republican lawmakers — drew condemnation from a diverse cross-section of the state's labor movement. Public employees in particular turned out in force to denounce the most egregious proposals jeopardizing their fundamental collective bargaining rights.
 
Click here for press reporting on the legislative hearing.
 

Time to be "All In" for Better Choices at the Capitol

Wed, 02/08/2017 - 6:45pm
The governor in his annual state budget address today presented numerous proposals that will have significant implications for every one of our union members and their families. His plan to close shortfalls in the 2018-19 fiscal year won't just impact teachers and classroom aides, higher education faculty, nurses and caregivers, probation officers and revenue collectors. Students, patients and all who depend on our members will also feel the effects of funding changes and cuts for vital state and local public health, education, and safety services.
 
Click here for the governor's full speech to the General Assembly.
 
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