News of Interest

Robust Benefits are Key to Solving

Agencies across our state continue to face chronic understaffing, exacerbated by ongoing recruitment and retention challenges.

Update: Agreement Over Disability Retirement Protocols

Union members who participate in the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) who can no longer work due to a disability depend on  a lifetime retirement allowance and health insurance.

SEBAC Mourns Fallen DOT Worker, Andrew DiDomenico

SEBAC released the following statement following the death of CTDOT employee Andrew DiDomenico, 26, who was killed today while working on the Wharton Brook Connector in Wallingford:

State Employees' One Year Wage Agreement Filed with the Legislature

[Hartford, CT] - Today, the reopener agreement reached between the Lamont Administration and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) was filed with the General Assembly for legislative approval. The framework, ratified by members of the coalition’s unions, includes a 2.5% general wage increase plus a “step” pay scale advancement. The agreement's raises track with private sector income growth and are consistent with the current SEBAC contract, as well as those lawmakers recently approved for the State Police. 

SEBAC 2024 Framework

Core collective bargaining agreement secured to raise wages 2.5% plus steps for all members of coalition bargaining units. 

Tier IV Plan Update

The risk-sharing provision of the Tier IV pension plan – which covers most state employees hired after 7/31/2017 – was implemented for the first time on July 1, 2023 and will run through June 30, 2024. That provision permits the State to increase employee contributions by half of the amount by which the plan’s investment returns failed to reach the projected average amount of 6.9% in the prior calendar year, up to a maximum of  2%.

Snow Days & Telework

On February 13th, Governor Lamont closed Executive Branch offices due to a snowstorm, and as he did in 2023, he is continuing to improperly apply the State's Telework agreement with the Unions.

The Governor's written directive states: 

 All level 2 executive branch state employees whose job duties can be completed remotely should telework, or they may request use of accrued leave

Yet the actual Telework Agreement, which the Administration signed, states in item 8.3.2.:

SEBAC Statement on Expanded Access to Fertility Treatments for LGBTQA+ State Employees and Their Covered Dependents

Hartford, CT - SEBAC and our constituent unions are proud to continue to be strong advocates for our LGBTQA+ member with the latest modifications to expand access to fertility treatments, regardless of sexual orientation.    The change was approved by the joint Health Care Cost Containment Committee at the suggestion of State Comptroller Sean Scanlon.

SEBAC mourns the loss of Hartford Police Officer Robert " Bobby" Garten

SEBAC is profoundly saddened by the sudden and senseless loss of Hartford Police Officer Robert “Bobby” Garten, 34, an eight-year veteran with the department. Officer Garten was killed in a motor vehicle accident while responding to a call for service. Also seriously injured in the accident was Hartford PD Officer Brian Kearney who has fortunately been listed in stable condition at a nearby hospital.

Pandemic Pay Look-Up Now Live

​The pandemic pay lookup tool is now available for state employees to look up their pandemic pay award based on their risk designation and number of eligible hours.
As a reminder, this look-up tool will based upon the state’s records and will provide members with their current risk designation and the amount of the pandemic pay award they will receive. Note that these figures are subject to change if errors are discovered by either party.

Tier IV Employee Contribution Increase

Today it was announced that the Lamont Administration plans to invoke a provision in the SEBAC 2017 Agreement that permits the State to increase employee contributions for Tier IV employees by 2%. Specifically, the base contribution of 5% (base contribution is 8% for Hazardous Duty members and members of the Hybrid Plan) can be increased for one year by one-half of the difference between the state investment performance and its predicted investment performance, up to 2%. The change is effective July 1st.