News

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

Council 4 Executive Board Elections

The regular election of AFSCME Council 4 Executive Board members took place on April 6, 2024 at our union headquarters in New Britain, CT.

The results are as follows:

Council 4 Education Scholarships

COUNCIL 4 EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS

To recognize the extraordinary efforts of our members and to foster unionism, Council 4 is offering continuing education assistance in th

Council 4 Members: "Be Counted. Complete the 2020 Census."

2020 Census: Be Counted!

For Council 4 AFSCME members, our families, and our communities, the 2020 Census is a "Big Deal."  

Every 10 years, the Census determines how the government allocates funding and resources for vital programs and services. If your community is under-counted, that could affect the money allocated for your job and the services you provide. 

For State Employees: Limited Durable Power of Attorney Form

We want to call state and retiree members’ attention to the limited durable power of attorney form, which can be found at the Comptroller’s website.  

Any member participating in the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) and wish designate someone as his or her Attorney-In-Fact must use this form. The LDPOA authorizes your Attorney-In-Fact to perform on your behalf any transactions with SERS that you could request yourself.

Be Like Local 318's Lanette Kinsella: Get Your AFSCME Free College Degree

NOW ENROLLING FOR SPRING CLASSES JANUARY 11, 2021 

Lanette Kinsella of AFSCME Local 318 is a Motor Vehicle Examiner for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Wethersfield. With more than 13 years on the job, and a desire to advance in state service she is not standing pat when it comes to furthering her education.

Correction Officer Steve Wales: Fighting to Keep Members Safe

It is a gross understatement to say Steven Wales of AFSCME Local 1565 (State. NP-4 Corrections) has a lot on his plate.

Correction Officer. Liaison. Husband. Spokesperson. Counselor. Teacher. Friend. Local Secretary. Father.

Working at the Corrigan-Radgowski Corrections Institute in Montville, Steven juggles multiple priorities – most of which have immediate and drastic consequences for his Local 1565 members due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And all occur behind closed walls that most people do not ever see.  

SEBAC Union Leadership Comments on Meeting with Administration (Updated 5.9.20)

Note: Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to download the pdf version of these statements.

Coalition Update: 
as of May 9, 2020

To All State Employee Unions:

DCF Social Worker Instills Value of Giving Back

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak all of sorts of havoc across the state, Amy
Ruenzel of AFSCME Local 2663 is using the crisis as a teachable moment.

Having worked 25 years for the Department of Children and Families, Ruenzel, a social work
supervisor, has seen her share of crises dealing with broken families and abused or neglected
children.

“Our work isn’t glamorous, but it’s very rewarding and necessary. It’s helped me a better parent
and member of my community,” she reflected.

Saunders to Congress: Helping States, Localities Must Be Next on Your Agenda

Congress has passed – and the president on Friday quickly signed – a $484 billion relief bill for small businesses and hospitals hurting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ramp up coronavirus testing. But the measure fails to provide another critical piece of aid – assistance to state and local governments whose ability to provide basic services will collapse absent federal intervention.

In Bridgeport, Occupancy Specialist Provides Relief During Crisis

Imagine you are laid off. You go through the checklist of essential needs for you and your family: food, medications, electricity, water, and shelter. Some expenses cannot be negotiated. When the rent is due – what do you do to keep the roof over your head?

For those living in public housing, this situation has escalated to more complicated levels due to impacts from the COVID-19 crisis. With the closure of schools and businesses directed to curb the spread of COVID-19, many workers were laid off.