Labor & Employment

This bill amends labor laws to limit workweeks to six days for most commercial and industrial employees, protecting them from dismissal for refusing to work seven days. It also revises unemployment rules to require medical documentation for individuals seeking part-time work due to chronic health conditions while claiming benefits. These changes directly affect workers in covered industries and employers who must comply with the new workweek limits and benefit eligibility standards. The provisions take effect October 1, 2026, as specified in Sections 4 and 1 of the bill.

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.