Members of AFSCME Local 1214, representing employees at Charter Oak State College, the state’s flagship online college in New Britain, have plenty of reasons to be thankful.
In keeping with their tradition of supporting community causes, throughout the year, the union’s Giving Committee donated $550 to the Malta House of Care Mobile Medical Clinic, which provides high-quality, free primary health care to uninsured adults in Greater Hartford; and $550 to Hands On Hartford, which serves Hartford residents in need of food, housing & related services.
Building on the momentum created by the enactment of groundbreaking legislation that provides post-traumatic stress benefits to police officers and fire fighters, Council 4 members urged state lawmakers to expand coverage to include other emergency responders.
Despite high levels of stress on the job, many state and local workers say they highly value serving the public and their communities and feel generally satisfied with their jobs.
Winter brings a special set of challenges to the worklife of AFSCME Local 818 member Michael Thompson, who for the last four years has served as the Superintendent of Field Services for the New Britain Department of Public Works.
A 31-year veteran of city employment, Thompson got more added to his plate on Nov. 5, 2019, when New Britain voters elected him to serve a two-year term on the Common Council.
Thompson, who is unaffiliated, is excited to bring his union values to New Britain politics.
It's the holiday season, which means it's time for our annual Council 4 Holiday Toy Drive.
We are collecting new, unused and unwrapped toys, and gift cards, through December 13, 2019. The donations will go to our friends at the United Labor Agency, which helps Connecticut's working families in need. (If you’d like to make a monetary contribution, please make your check payable to the United Labor Agency.)
All locals, individual members and employees of Council 4 who wish to participate in this effort may bring donations to Council 4 at 444 East Main St. in New Britain.
Council 4's Meet a Member profile focuses on AFSCME Local 2422 member Angelo Callis, who retired last month after 34 years with the City of Norwich. If you know a Council 4 member you'd like to see featured, please contact Larry Dorman at [email protected].
Last year, nearly half a million workers went on strike across the nation, the largest number since 1986, when the country’s union membership rate was considerably higher (17.5%) than it was in 2018 (10.5%).
