Beginning after the July 1, 2022 cut off, the State has relinquished their obligation to adjust pension payments at least 2% (current minimum) for inflation. If youre going to get a bonus, youve got to stick around with us for a while, said Rep. Jay Case, R-Winsted. But most House Republicans who spoke in Thursdays debate predicted taxpayers wouldnt be as happy as state employee unions are. (Sorry for the caps, wont let me shift), Hope McKiernan By 2020, the state paid $2.2 billion to 55,348 retirees. In an effort to mitigate the potential loss of thousands of state employees, Gov. With this agreement, we were able to achieve those goals in a realistic way that does not imperil our future prospects and honors the great service that has and will continue to benefit our residents, Lamont said in a statement. Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. "I think we're in great shape. The raises do not apply to employees in the legislative and judicial branches or higher education. The state is so intractable about its longterm bureaucratic practices. Keith has spent most of his 31 years as a reporter specializing in state government finances, analyzing such topics as income tax equity, waste in government and the complex funding systems behind Connecticuts transportation and social services networks. Connecticut State Department of Administrative Services CT.gov Home Department of Administrative Services Human Resources Business Rules and Regulations Compensation Salary Increase Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Salary Increase Non-Represented Employees Expense Reimbursement/Meal Allowance Pay Differential Longevity Recruitment Pay Each year includes a 2.5% general wage increase, as well as a step hike for all but the most senior workers. Your email address will not be published. Private-sector employees can only dream of having that, said Sen. Henri Martin, R-Bristol. We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. I dont believe, fundamentally, that this agreement is fair at all.. State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition. The Lamont administration and SEBAC argue the deal is actually good for taxpayers, because an arbitrator would likely award workers even bigger raises. While annual retirements usually range from 2,000 to 2,500 per calendar year, more than 3,400 state employees have either retired or filed their written intentions to do so between January and March 31, 2022 alone. When the CPI-W rises above 2 percent, those retirees will receive either 2 percent or a percentage of the rate of inflation, depending on how high the rate rises. But the Lamont administration is facing a gathering wave of retirements, producing a sense of urgency that Geballe says is shared by labor and management. Likely, the governors spinmeisters will follow the lead of union leaders in referring to all state employees as frontline workers, although many agencies were closed to the public during most of the pandemic. CT Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. It seems that JavaScript is not working in your browser. The state is also hoping the increases will also attract more people to state-level management positions. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Become Flash Points in Debate over Thats something we certainly need to work on here.. The state and unions have the option of continuing the same level of raises for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, or they can negotiate different compensation levels. For retirements prior to June 30, 2022, these cumulative raises will be paid each year on either January 1st or July 1st depending on your date of retirement (DOR). 13 Week Package - $38.87 / 13 Weeks. For retirees who receive their COLAs in January, the trend was more in their favor with three years of inflation increases topping 2 percent. The bargaining units ratified the agreement earlier in the week, and it now it heads to the state legislature for consideration. But Osten said the agreements are essential to maintain a state workforce that is at its smallest size since the 1950s, an argument Lamont has made as well. The Malloy administration hired a customer-service expert to improve service at the much-maligned Department of Motor Vehicles, and Lamont won passage of legislation reducing the need for residents to go to the DMV: Drivers licenses now are good for eight years, not six; and renewals of vehicle registrations come every three years, not two. Weve seen clerical workers go from a high of almost 9,000 to 4,000.. 0:04. Each year includes a 2.5% general wage increase, as well as a step hike for all but the most senior workers. 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