News

In Memoriam: Lawrence “Larry” Amendola, 1934-2024

Council 4 mourns the loss of Lawrence “Larry” Amendola, former President and founding member of AFSCME Local 3144, New Haven Management and Professional Employees.

State Employees’ Reopener, Recruitment and Retention Agreement Overwhelmingly Passes General Assembly

State Employees’ Reopener, Recruitment and Retention Agreement Overwhelmingly Passes General Assembly

Agreement supports protection and expan

State Employees' Reopener, Recruitment and Retention Agreement Approved by Appropriations Committee

State Employees' Reopener, Recruitment and Retention Agreement Approved by Appropriations Committee

Agreement will continue efforts to protect and expand our communitie

A Year After Organizing, Unionized Ledyard Paraprofessionals Get First Contract

A year after unionizing, Ledyard Public School paraprofessionals have secured their first collective bargaining agreement.

Members of AFSCME Local 784, consisting of roughly 100 paraprofessionals, voted 52-1 in favor of the four-year agreement reached with the Ledyard Board of Education. The new contract, which went into effect July 1, 2021, provides Ledyard paras with annual general wage increases of .50, including retroactive pay, additional sick days, and paid holidays.

First-Ever Council 4 Scholarship Winners Embody Our AFSCME Union Values

The future just got a little brighter – and a little more affordable – for recent high school graduates Zachary Jahn and Bryanna Vanderburgh, winners of the first-ever Council 4 Education Scholarships.

Zachary and Bryanna are ready to take the next step toward their higher education, with the momentum of the $2,000 annual award – renewable for up to four years – behind them.

Update on State Telework Agreement: SEBAC Files Injunction

July 6:
SEBAC Files Suit Over Administration's Failure To Abide by Telework Agreement

On Tuesday, July 6th Council 4 in concert with SEBAC, filed a motion seeking a temporary injunction requiring the State to abide by the fully executed temporary telework agreement. 

NP-3 Stewards Conference A Tool For Empowerment

The intersection of union representation, political action and community engagement could be found in Hartford on June 18, when the NP-3 State Clerical Bargaining Unit hosted its annual Stewards Recognition and Training event.

Members of the NP-3 unit – comprised of Locals 196, 318, 478, 610 and 704 – shared their experiences about a successful four-part stewards training provided by Council 4 and conducted via zoom.

Jessica Pirt of Local 318 said the training was a valuable learning tool.

Labor's Push Leads To COVID-19 Assistance Fund for Essential Workers

Organized labor’s determination to help essential workers who were made sick on the job by COVID-19 has led to the creation of the Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Fund.

During the budget implementer session in mid-June, state legislators finalized the inclusion of $34 million to establish this fund to assist potentially thousands of essential workers who contracted the novel coronavirus on the job through no fault of their own.

Member Participation Fuels 2021 Legislative Successes

The cloud of COVID-19 hung heavily over the 2021 legislative session, both literally and figuratively, by the time the Connecticut General Assembly adjourned on June 9.

Despite the State Capitol remaining closed to lobbyists and members of the public, due to COVID-19, this year’s session brought several noteworthy successes that will benefit Council 4 members and working people across the state.

C4 Members Help Pass Post Traumatic Stress Injury Bill

Fueled by the efforts of Council 4 members and staff, the state legislature voted to extend limited post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) coverage under workers compensation to correctional employees, EMS workers, public safety dispatchers and health workers.

The bill, SB 660, has been sent to the governor’s desk for his signature.

Catch Our Latest Council 4 Podcast

June 1--Our Council 4 Unplugged podcast takes a look the 2021 legislative session (which concludes June 9) with Council 4's Legislative and Political Coordinator, Brian Anderson.

Brian takes us through where we are at with passing a fair budget and important bills that will protect and uplift workers. We also discuss the importance of the PEOPLE Committee and being engaged in this year’s municipal election.

Click here to listen to our latest Council 4 Unplugged podcast.