Press Room

Council 4 AFSCME mourns the loss of Middletown police officer

On Sunday, Dec. 4, the Middletown Police Department announced that Officer Matt Silvestrini, who had fought a long battle with brain cancer, died Saturday.

Union applauds labor board decision in Bridgeport case

AFSCME Local 1522 and its parent union, Council 4, applauded a ruling this month by the state labor board that found

Local 196 Supports Prudence Crandall Center, Ana Grace Project

Connecticut can be a cold and hard place this time of year, particularly for victims of domestic violence.

That’s why the members of AFSCME Local 196, representing more than 400 state administrative and clerical employees in the Central Connecticut area, stepped up to help residents at Prudence Crandall Center in New Britain.

South Windsor School Custodians Help Residents in Need

The members of Local 1303-029 of Council 4 AFSCME, representing South Windsor school custodians and maintainers, donated $250 to the South Windsor Food & Fuel Bank.

“The Department of Community Services does an amazing job serving our townspeople,” said Local 1303-029 President Bob Smith, the head custodian at Orchard Hill School. “We are fortunate to be able to give back and to support a program that helps South Windsor residents get through tough times.”

Correction Officers Union Comments on Inmate Escape in Cheshire

Milldale, CT, Nov. 1., 2018 – Rudy Demiraj, President of AFSCME Local 387, representing correction officers and other front-line staff throughout the Cheshire Correctional Complex, issued this statement regarding the escape and capture of inmate Luis Clark:

Council 4 Challenges Judicial Branch For Eliminating Supreme Court Police Unit

New Britain, CT, Sept. 24, 2018 -- Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has filed two formal labor complaints against the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch over the elimination of the Supreme Court Police Department.

Council 4 filed the complaints with the Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations on behalf of affiliated Local 749, which represents 1,500 employees throughout the Judicial Branch.

Council 4 Files NLRB Complaint Over Firing of School Bus Driver

New Britain, CT, Sept. 18, 2018 -- Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) today filed a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that M&J Bus Inc., fired a North Stonington school bus driver due to union activity.

Juvenile Detention Officers Condemn Understaffing, High Injury Rates

The union representing front-line employees at state Juvenile Detention Centers in Hartford and Bridgeport is calling on the Judicial Branch to address deteriorating working conditions at the facilities that endanger staff and residents.

Westport Police Standing Up For Retirement Security

A respected economic think tank is urging support for Westport police union members and cautioning against the negative impact of efforts to scale back pension benefits.

In a blog post published by the Economic Policy Institute of Washington, D.C., staff economist Monique Morrissey said the national trend for slashing benefits could prove harmful in Westport, where the police union, Local 2080 of AFSCME Council 4, is in pension arbitration with the town.

Supporting Candidates Who Support Our Rights

Members of the Council 4 Delegate Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favor of a recommendation from our PEOPLE political action committee to formally endorse Ned Lamont in the 2018 gubernatorial election.

Delegates to our special June 12 meeting also accepted recommendations to endorse William Tong for Attorney General, Shawn Wooden for Treasurer, Jahana Hayes for Congress in the 5th District and several candidates for State Senate and State Representative.