AFT Unit 47

Securing 'Hero Pay' for Unprecedented Service

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 12:30pm
The global COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly the greatest collective challenge our union members have faced in their lifetimes. Securing adequate compensation for the risks taken by frontline "essential" workers has been a daunting and often frustrating challenge. Our latest collective bargaining report highlights how public employee members tapped the power of "Union YES" to move a neutral arbitrator and state lawmakers to show appreciation for their sacrifice.
 

"Having Our Backs Every Step of the Way" Helps Yield Big Gains

Tue, 01/31/2023 - 5:30pm
It is often said that contractual gains cannot be made at the negotiating table alone; they additionally depend on workplace, community and political collective action. This complete formula is particularly important in order to overcome many historical and structural impediments embedded in many fields and industries. In this collective bargaining report, we're highlighting a landmark contract victory where by choosing “Union YES,” members helped resolve some of modern healthcare’s biggest challenges.
 

Heeding the Warnings of a Care Catastrophe

Thu, 01/12/2023 - 3:30pm
Members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated local unions representing health professionals are raising awareness of dangerous conditions in their hospitals, clinics, school and community-based facilities. Danbury Nurses Union Unit 47 member Amanda Hutchins Warren, RN (in photo, below) in a recent opinion piece called out her employer's role in fueling a worsening patient care crisis. As chair of her facility's staffing committee, she also urged a more "holistic approach" than individual unit fixes:
 

Boosting Wages to "Raise Our Standard of Living"

Sat, 07/30/2022 - 5:30pm
Local affiliates have for the past three months continued to transform the future of work for themselves and the next generation at the negotiating table. Historic wage gains aimed at improving recruitment and retention are the highlight of a recent contract showcased in our latest collective bargaining wins report. The victory is a prime example of members - both today and tomorrow - benefitting by choosing "Union YES" and accomplishing more together than alone.
 

Advancing Workplace Safety Because "We Stuck By Our Priorities"

Fri, 04/30/2021 - 6:30pm
Union members have over the past four months demonstrated the power of combining persistence and activism to make significant gains at the negotiating table. Our latest collective bargaining report showcases a local affiliate whose leaders organized high profile public actions to build support and mount pressure on their employer. Their commitment to a healthier and safer workplace paved the way for winning long overdue protections.
 

Speaking Out for Essential Workers Who Risked it All

Fri, 03/26/2021 - 1:30pm
Local and state union activists and leaders earlier this month turned-out in record numbers to advocate for themselves and fellow frontliners impacted by the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) crisis. The occasion was a legislative public hearing held by the Connecticut General Assembly's committee that oversees employment policies and practices. Joined by members of allied labor organizations, they took a strong stand to demand restitution for their sacrifices and preparation for the next pandemic.
 

Credit and Training for Making Workplace Progress

Thu, 05/30/2019 - 3:30pm
AFT Connecticut's professional development (PD) has over the past three months offered more than a dozen career advancement, worksite safety and union leadership development workshops. The variety of course offerings has been diverse, with several led by accredited experts while others were presented by local union members who had completed prior "train the trainer" sessions. They all shared in common our state federation's commitment to furthering a "grow-your-own" capacity-building model for this valuable benefit.
 
Click here for our previous PD program report.
 

Meeting Members' Workplace Well-Being Needs

Fri, 02/15/2019 - 3:30pm
AFT Connecticut's professional development (PD) department each fall surveys members of affiliated unions to determine the career advancement and labor leadership courses that would be most relevant and beneficial. The feedback drives a program empowering PreK-12 and higher education professionals, nurses and healthcare staff, and state and municipal employees to make tangible improvements in their work lives. Stress reduction and self-care emerged from the latest results as common goals shared by our diverse membership.
 

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.
 

Demonstrating Solidarity in Professional Development

Fri, 02/09/2018 - 7:00pm
Among the many benefits enjoyed by members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions is the opportunity to participate in career-relevant training, specialized education and advanced professional learning courses. Our state federation has in recent years increased the variety of topics, boosted the frequency of sessions, and expanded access to all of our diverse constituencies. To that end, leaders with distinct knowledge and unique skill sets have been tapped to serve as presenters for an increasing number of workshops.
 
Syndicate content