2025 Contract Negotiation Updates

July 8, 2025

Two More State Bargaining Units Declare Impasse with Lamont Administration
Negotiations with Lamont Administration officials continue as
consequences of recruitment and retention failures escalate

[Hartford, CT]- Two more Judicial Branch unions, IBPO Local 731 and the Supervising Judicial Marshals (SJM) with CSEA SEIU Local 2001 have reached an impasse with the Judicial Branch, with both unions declaring an official breakdown in contract talks. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expired on June 30, 2025, and Governor Lamont's Office of Policy Management effectively controls what the Judicial Branch can offer and has refused to offer a wage increase that is critical to retaining and recruiting staff in these essential positions.

Governor Lamont has touted and promised that in every year he has been Governor and will be Governor,that state employees will see a raise. Even with the Administrations latest offer following the declaration of impasse from IBPO, SJM and the Judicial Professionals Union (JPE AFT Local 4200-B), Governor Lamont still didn't include a wage increase but a one-time lump sum of $2,000 instead. This not only stains his credibility and illustrates Lamont's blatant disregard for his promises, but it also represents a complete failure to address the real recruitment and retention problems plaguing our state.

Bobby Perez, President of Supervising Judicial Marshal (SJM) with CSEA SEIU Local 2001:
“We have to wonder if from where he sits, the governor even sees the lives of working families and the public they serve. The latest offer does nothing to address the real issues—recruitment, retention, and the rising cost of living. The decision to withhold a raise for some state workers, while others, like the State Police, receive the raises they deserve, shows a blatant disregard for the hard-working public servants who keep this state running. We will not accept this disrespect, and we will continue to fight for the fair wages our members have earned.”

Angelo Arena , President of IBPO Local 731 (Judicial Marshals):
“Over the past seven months, IBPO Local 731 has made every effort to secure a fair contract for our members, one that recognizes the critical work they do every day. Unfortunately, despite our proposals for a 2.5% wage increase—matching what the Connecticut State Police received—the Judicial Branch has refused to budge. We now face the reality of working under an expired contract without the wage increases we deserve, all while healthcare costs continue to rise. As a result, our courthouses remain critically understaffed, and the public remains at risk.”

Both IBPO Local 731 and SJM Local 2001 along with JPE are now preparing for arbitration later this summer or early fall. .  The resulting award will still need approval from the state legislature before it can be finalized. Both unions remain committed to achieving a fair and just outcome for their members.

###

The State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) represents approximately 45,000 state employees across fifteen unions and thirty-five bargaining units. 

The Supervising Judicial Marshalls (SJM) CSEA SEIU Local 2001 represents about 100 Lieutenants and Captains in the Judicial branch who perform supervisory roles throughout the court’s system. Learn more here

IBPO Local 731 represents about 700 Judicial Marshals throughout the State of Connecticut. Learn more here

The Judicial Professional Employees (JPE) Union, AFT Local 4200-B represents over 1,300 members, nearly half of the membership perform “hazardous duty” jobs and the remainder provide vital direct legal, court and support services to state residents. Learn more here.

July 7, 2025

Judicial Professionals' Comments on Impasse in Solving Public Service Crisis

Leaders of the union representing 1,300 Judicial Branch hazardous duty, court and legal professionals today released the following remarks on plans to pursue arbitration in securing a successor contract:

“Connecticut faces a public service crisis, and our leadership team stepped up to propose real solutions in contract talks with the Judicial Branch’s representatives,” said Judicial Professional Employees (JPE) Union President Rob Moreau. “We were focused on addressing recruitment and retention gaps by boosting investments in the staff that all state residents depend on. Unfortunately, branch representatives came up short on the kind of appropriate pay that would make a difference,” added Moreau, an adult probation officer (APO) in the agency’s New Britain Probation Office.

“For us, this isn’t political; it’s personal,” said JPE Family Services Supervisor Representative Lisa Reveruzzi. “We’re not asking state officials for any favors; we’re asking that they not saddle us with the additional burden of making up for unfilled vacancies. The public we serve values the work we do and expects us to be able to perform at our best,” added Reveruzzi, a family services supervisor in the branch’s New London Superior Court. 

Moreau added; “to be clear, the branch’s representatives were negotiating in good faith and apparently their final offer on wages came from the governor’s office.  Starting this month, our members’ health premiums have increased and they are now going to be taking home less pay in their checks. This is unacceptable for the services our members provide.” 

The Judicial Professional Employees (JPE) Union, AFT Local 4200-B represents over 1,300 members who work in 80 different job classes at nearly as many Judicial Branch locations across the state of Connecticut. Nearly half of the membership perform “hazardous duty” jobs; Adult and Juvenile Probation Officers, Juvenile Detention Staff and Chief Judicial Marshals. The remainder provide vital direct legal, court and support services to state residents. Learn more at jpeunion.org.