Labor & Employment

SB 346 modifies Connecticut's Governor's Workforce Council membership to align with federal law. The bill specifies that the council must include 30 business representatives (with at least one representing small businesses and one an expert in residential construction), four labor organization representatives, and members from education, community organizations, vocational schools, local government, and workforce training programs. It requires all appointments to reflect state diversity (geographic, gender, racial, and ethnic) and mandates quarterly meetings. The changes aim to comply with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.

SB 268 authorizes Connecticut's Comptroller to withhold payments from contractors or subcontractors who violate prevailing wage laws (specifically section 31-53) on public works projects. If the Labor Commissioner issues a stop work order for such violations, the Comptroller must notify the contractor and give them 10 business days to comply. If they remain non-compliant, the Comptroller may withhold payments until the violation is resolved or penalties are paid. This directly affects contractors working on state or local government construction projects who fail to pay prevailing wages.

This bill proposes the approval of a collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees and the Graduate Employee Union representing student workers. The agreement establishes wage increases and adjusts health insurance costs for graduate employees over a four-year period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030. Specifically, it mandates annual raises ranging from 3.85% to 4.5% for salaries and per-credit rates while also requiring graduate employees to pay a higher share of their health insurance premiums. Additionally, the deal includes increases for university fee credits and a larger funding pool for childcare assistance.

This resolution approves a four-year agreement between the State of Connecticut and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition covering approximately 42,000 state employees. The deal includes a 2.5% general wage increase and annual increments for most workers in fiscal years 2026 through 2028, with a wage re-opener clause for the final year. The agreement also incorporates specific provisions for salary adjustments, healthcare savings, and various fringe benefits costs totaling over $722 million across the four-year period.

This Senate resolution approves a tentative collective bargaining agreement between the State of Connecticut and the Connecticut Employees Union Independent, NP-2 Bargaining Unit, covering approximately 3,661 state employees who work in service, maintenance, and support roles across hospitals, campuses, airports, and other state facilities. The agreement establishes a four-year contract from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029, providing a 2.5% general wage increase and annual increments for the first three years, with a wage re-opener provision allowing for additional negotiations in the final year. The resolution also authorizes lump sum payments for employees at the top step of their pay plans and includes provisions for grade changes and other salary adjustments, with total estimated costs of approximately $45 million across four fiscal years.

This resolution approves a pre-existing arbitration award between Connecticut's Judicial Branch and three employee unions (SEIU Local 2001, IBPO Local 731, and AFT/AFT-CT). The agreement, retroactive to July 1, 2025, includes a 2.5% general wage increase, annual increments, and lump-sum payments for judicial employees. It will cost approximately $8.07 million in fiscal year 2026 and $8.60 million in fiscal year 2027, affecting all covered bargaining units. The resolution requires legislative approval per state law but does not create new policy.