News

Telework Arbitration Victory

Three agencies continued to misapply the current SEBAC Telework agreement (DOT, DSS, and Office of the Attorney General).  Although we had already prevailed in arbitration on the issue of an

First Aid, CPR & AED trainings offered

AFSCME offers First Aid, CPR & AED trainings that are certified by the American Red Cross (ARC). 

Local 714 Member Alert: Sign Our Petition to the Commissioner

The Department of Social Services needs to focus on protecting the safety and health of front line staff who deliver critical, life-saving benefits to Connecticut residents in need.

The best way to do that is to get DSS to provide front-line workers with the technology they need to provide those benefits from the safety of our homes.

If you are a member of AFSCME Local 714, please sign our online survey to DSS Commissioner Deidre Gifford.

Corrections, EMS Workers Stress Need for Resources in COVID-19 Fight

Before the announcement early Wednesday of an unprecedented $2 trillion deal to combat the coronavirus pandemic, AFSCME President Lee Saunders and three front-line workers put pressure on federal lawmakers to come through with a robust aid package for state and local governments so they can rebuild decimated public services.

Coronavirus Aid Package Falls Short. Workers Need More from Congress.

The coronavirus aid package that cleared Congress is just not good enough for public service workers. That’s the takeaway message from AFSCME President Lee Saunders.

Council 4 Office Closed To The Public, But We're Still Working

Please check our special Coronovarius Resource page for Council 4 members for news and info.

Council 4 Executive Director Jody Barr issued the following statement to Council 4 Local Presidents, Executive Board and Delegates to share with all our members:

We recognize that this is a challenging time for everyone.

Get Union Smart With Council 4 Education & Training

Council 4 (and our national AFSCME union) offer a wealth of free training and education opportunities, both in-person and online.

In 2020, Council 4 is launching "Saturday Study Hall" trainings at our office in New Britain.  We've scheduled classes on a wide range of subject matter, from grievance handling, social media and CPR/Opioid training to post-retirement planning, union treasurer responsibilities and OSHA certification.  We are also teaming up with the Connecticut AFL-CIO for a special training geared toward union members running for political office.

AFSCME Members Voice Support for Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act

AFSCME members sat down with congressional lawmakers last week to share stories about how the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act would improve communities and empower workers.

Trump Budget Disinvests in America’s Future

Through a budget proposal announced this week, President Donald Trump continues his attacks on vital programs for working families, including Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

And rather than invest in America’s future, he seeks to disinvest, proposing deep funding cuts to programs in education, environmental protection, disease prevention and more.

At AFSCME’s Iowa Coffee Caucus, Candidates Champion Public Services and Unions

If you followed every Democratic presidential primary debate and read the candidates’ positions on every topic and watched the AFSCME Public Service Forum held in August, you might think there is nothing left to know about the men and women vying to be the next president of the United States.