AFT Connecticut Summer/Fall 2014 "State of the Union" by AFT Connecticut

State of theUnion Summer/Fall, 2014

The 2014 Legislative Session: Wins for Working Families

T “Picture This:” The View from Our State Convention

undreds of delegates on May 17th came together for our 67th Annual AFT Connecticut Convention to conduct the business of our federation of more than 90 local unions. The theme of this year’s gathering, “Picture This: Becoming a Wisconsin,” helped guide union leaders as they weighed important decisions that will impact us all over the next year. An additional purpose was to remind us how organized labor in this country has brought tremendous positive change for working families. Today, we all benefit from the struggle and sacrifice of those who created and have sustained the movement over the past century. But as we saw in Wisconsin in 2011, gains (continued on page 4)

his year’s “short” session of the Connecticut General Assembly produced a long list of wins for working families. From attending “lobby days” to meet lawmakers, to testifying at public hearings, to calling and emailing their local representatives, members of our local unions responded to the call to action. Several important bills were passed and signed into law as a result of the collaboration among AFT Connecticut staff, our local unions, allied labor and community organizations, and state elected

officials. Additionally, our collective efforts helped launch a number of progressive public policy initiatives enacted during or shortly after the session adjourned in May.

New Legislation Highlights include: A bill passed with unanimous legislative support and signed into law by the governor will better protect Judicial Branch probation officers and their families (continued on page 6)

JPE Union Members Joined Governor Malloy and Legislative Allies for Signing of New Law Protecting Probation Offices from FOI Abuses Backing Candidates Who Will Prevent a “Wisconsin Moment”

“Primary” Union Victories

Our “Connecticut Moment”

Developing Community Engagement Strategies

nce again AFT Connecticut worked with our coalition of education and community partners to sponsor a third Parent Teacher Community Forum for the 2013-14 school year. Hundreds of teachers, school support personnel, union leaders, administrators, board of education officials, students, and family members turned out for the May event in East Hartford. The “Linking for Learning” forum included workshops and speeches where the focus was on boosting family engagement in Connecticut’s public schools. Dr. Karen Mapp, author of “Beyond the Bake Sale” and Director of Education Policy and Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, delivered the forum’s keynote speech. She addressed several aspects of how family engagement can -- and should -- drive student and educator success in our schools. [Editor’s note: video with Dr. Mapp’s full speech and powerpoint presentation from the May 5 forum is online at our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/aftconn.] Forums for the 2014-15 school year are being organized and will be posted to the AFT Connecticut website’s “Calendar” as they are scheduled. Members are urged to attend -- and bring their union colleagues, district officials, parents, and students with them. [Editor’s note: additional video with highlights of the forum is Windham Fed. of Teachers Member Rose Reyes (Left) and Retiree online at our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/aftconn.] Victor Funderburk (Right) Participate in Interactive Workshop

A Historic First Contract

icensed medical practitioners who provide primary and preventive care at Community Health Services, Inc. (CHS) in Hartford and Windsor in August ratified a first-ever collective bargaining agreement with their employer. The professional caregivers cast their ballots following cordial negotiations with management of the private nonprofit 501(c)3 federally qualified health center (FQHC) that serves the Capitol region. Members of Licensed Professionals at Community Health Services (LPACHS), AFT Local 5151 organized in late 2012 and are the first union representing private sector physicians in Connecticut. They united for a voice on the job in order to assure quality care for their patients, their families, and their communities. The union’s members provide a variety of primary and preventive services in adult internal and adolescent medicine, behavioral health, dental care, optometry, pediatrics, podiatry, and specialized women’s health. Additional specialty services include diabetes treatment, an on-site pharmacy and laboratory, and a food pantry at the Hartford medical facility. At the ratification vote, members expressed hope that their collective bargaining agreement will facilitate a new relationship with CHS management. With the first-ever due process protections for the majority of the union’s membership, the agreement empowers these healthcare professionals to address issues such as high turn-over rates. [Editor’s note: additional photos of the August 22 ratification LPACHS Union Leaders Lawrence Jaggon, Julie Volpe, and vote are online at our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/aftct.] Irv Buchbinder at the Ratification Vote Melodie Peters President

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Stephen McKeever First Vice President Jean Morningstar Second Vice President Ed Leavy Secretary/Treasurer Matt O’Connor Communications Coordinator

Backing Candidates Who Will Prevent a “Wisconsin Moment”

embers of AFT Connecticut’s Executive Committee Both before and since winning his party’s Primary in June met and took action on recommendations on Election in August, Mr. Foley has attempted to cover-up the endorsements for incumbent statewide candidates true meaning of his “Wisconsin moment.” But even if he was previously submitted by our Legislative/Political Action merely referring to a change in the balance of political power Committee (LPAC). Our federation’s elected leaders voted as he now claims, public employees, their families, and the overwhelmingly to support a slate of elected officials on the communities we serve should be concerned. November 4 General Election ballot who each have proven records of respecting collective bargaining rights. The executive committee vote was the culmination of a democratic process for considering candidate endorsements and followed a longestablished policy of Executive Council Members Meet with Gov. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Wyman at providing a voice for our diverse federation. Connecticut AFL-CIO Political Conference in June Members of affiliated unions signed up at our website to receive email alerts and Governor Scott Walker himself recently acknowledged updates were notified that evening. the true intent of the controversial anti-union “Act 10” he and his state’s legislature rammed through in 2010. While [Editor’s note: previous “AFT Votes” alerts are online in the campaigning for re-election, Wisconsin’s governor said his “Take Action” section of our website at www.aftct.org.] political opponents were focused on the race “because we took LPAC members’ recommendations and our executive their power” in stripping public employees of their collective committee’s endorsements reflect the fact that union members bargaining rights. in Connecticut are paying attention to the war on working AFT Connecticut’s executive committee’s vote was in large women and men across the country. part to make sure a Governor Tom Foley doesn’t make such a In backing the administration of Governor claim after devastating our state’s working and middle class. Dannel P. Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman for The full slate of LPAC-recommended candidates for re-election, union leaders endorsed the team who will prevent congress and state constitutional offices that will appear on the a “Wisconsin moment” in Connecticut. Since they took office November 4 General Election ballot overwhelmingly approved in 2011, our state has remained an exception to the troubling by the executive committee: trend of politicians gutting workers’ collective bargaining U.S. Congress: rights and cutting their wages and benefits. 1st U.S. House District: Rep. John Larson Former private-equity manager and Republican 2nd U.S. House District: Rep. Joe Courtney gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley made clear where he stands 3rd U.S. House District: Rep. Rosa DeLauro on workers’ rights in comments to the press last June. That 4th U.S. House District: Rep. Jim Himes was when he told The Courant, “I keep talking about when is 5th U.S. House District: Rep. Elizabeth Esty the Wisconsin moment going to come to Connecticut,” in an CT Constitutional Officers: obvious reference to anti-union legislation passed in that state Governor: Gov. Dannel Malloy three years ago. Lieutenant Governor: Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman As recently as this January, Mr. Foley at a GOP candidates Attorney General: AG George Jepsen forum in Canterbury even more clearly articulated what he Treasurer: Treasurer Denise Nappier meant by a “Wisconsin moment:” Secretary of the State: Secretary Denise Merrill “...what happened in Wisconsin, a lot of those things can Comptroller: Comptroller Kevin Lembo be applied in Connecticut. First of all, the stranglehold that [Editor’s note: sign-up to receive “AFT Votes” alerts by email public sector unions have over policy in this state simply has to change...what Governor Walker did in Wisconsin can in the “Take Action” section of our website’s home page at certainly be done here...” www.aftct.org.] STATE OF THE UNION

“Picture This”... (continued from page 1) that took generations for workers to achieve were lost as a result of a single, decisive election. A brief video prepared for the event reminded delegates how, without strong unions, we lack the power to stand up for ourselves, our families and our communities. [Editor’s note: video is online at the “Convention” section of the “About AFT CT” page at our website at www.aftct.org.]

Speakers and Guests Several statewide elected officials, including Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Comptroller Kevin Lembo, and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, came to hear from members before the convention was called to order. Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman delivered the welcome speech after Gov. Malloy Listens to delegates watched a Danbury Hospital Nurses Union brief video with Pres. Mary Consoli highlights of the “We’re Not Wisconsin” forum held for Connecticut union members in April. Telling delegates, “together we will not be Wisconsin,” the lt. governor urged continued partnership to prevent the kind of attacks on union rights on that state’s public employees.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman Poses with UCPEA Members Before Her Convention Speech During the business session, delegates heard from Connecticut AFL-CIO Executive Secretary-Treasurer Lori Pelletier and AFT Deputy Director Barbara Pallazzo.

4 STATE OF THE UNION

AFT Connecticut First Vice-President Steve McKeever and Secretary-Treasurer Ed Leavy each also delivered brief remarks. Ms. Foundation for Women CEO and President Teresa Younger delivered a keynote address that brought delegates to their feet. The former executive director of the Connecticut Permanent Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) spoke directly to the convention’s theme, listing many of organized labor’s accomplishments over the past century.

Union Business The primary purpose of the annual convention is to take action on proposed amendments to the AFT Connecticut Constitution, as well as consider resolutions on our federation’s policies and positions. The Constitutional Amendments Committee reviewed and recommended to delegates a substitute proposal on implementing a gradual membership dues adjustment over a two-year period. The amendment, which increases dues by 50¢ on September 1, 2014 and another 50¢ on September 1, 2015, passed in a floor vote. [Editor’s note: amended Constitution is online at the “About AFT CT” page, and the “Dues” section includes updated rates, both at our website at www.aftct.org.] Two proposed resolutions were also adopted by convention delegates. The first, introduced by members of the Middletown Federation of Teachers, seeks to establish minimum educational and classroom requirements for the commissioner of the State Department of Education (SDE). With the recent announcement that the current commissioner would not serve in a second Malloy-Wyman Administration term, the resolution serves as a valuable blueprint for our advocacy efforts. The second, introduced by leaders of the State Vocational Federation of Teachers, addresses the attacks on public employees and their collective bargaining rights in states across the country. The resolution calls for our members to unite with community and labor organizations, State Vocational Fed. of elected officials and Teachers Pres. Jan Hochadel others to protect vital union rights and prevent Introduces “Not Wisconsin” Resolution a “Wisconsin moment” here in Connecticut. [Editor’s note: reports with proposed constitutional amendments and resolutions are online at the “Convention” section of the “About AFT CT” page at our website at www.aftct.org.]

in response to attempted “hostile take-overs” of community schools. The “Hartford Rising!” coalition of parents, clergy, educators, and civic leaders that her local union helped launch has grown into a citywide movement leading the fight to “reclaim the promise.” After early success in pushing back on public education privatization schemes, coalition members adopted an economic and social justice community “Bill of Rights” for the capitol city’s working families. The Phyllis H. Kornfeld Golden Achievement award was presented to retired A&R Union member Win Heimer (right) in acknowledgement of his continued union activism and advocacy. The award was re-named AFT Connecticut Pres. Melodie Peters, G.C. Springer Scholarship this year in memory of Phyllis, who our labor family unexpectedly lost in Winner Krista Vermeal, Meriden Fed. of Teachers Pres. January. Erin Benham, and AFT Connecticut First Vice-Pres. Steve McKeever

Scholarships and Awards

Each year, the convention agenda also includes presentation of two $2,500.00 grants to assist the pursuit of a higher education; the first to a member, and the second to a members’ spouse or domestic partner, or child. The 2014 George C. Springer Scholarship was awarded to Meriden Federation of Teachers member and Benjamin Franklin Elementary School first grade teacher Krista Vermeal. She is currently working toward a Master’s Degree in Reading Instruction at the University of Saint Joseph. Bryan Bliek (below), son of Manchester Federation of Paraprofessionals member Xian Shen, was this year’s recipient of the AFT Connecticut scholarship. A Melodie Peters Presents the “Presidents Award” to L+M Hospital 2014 Rockville High School graduate, Unions United Leaders Harry Rodriguez, Stephanie Johnson, and Bryan plans to study Government and Lisa D’Abrosca Economics at Dartmouth College. The three presidents of the local unions representing [Editor’s note: details on both nurses, techs, and healthcare employees at Lawrence + grants are online in the “Scholarships” Memorial (L+M) Hospital were each presented with the 2014 section of the “Benefits” page at our website at www.aftct.org.] President’s Award. Together, Lisa D’Abrosca of L+M Registered Awards to members for Professional Nurses (RNs), Stephanie Johnson of L+M Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)/Technologists, outstanding and Harry Rodriguez of contributions to our L+M Healthcare Workers federation in 2014 were led -- and won -- an also presented during unprecedented fight for this year’s convention. good jobs and quality The Unionist patient care. of the Year was [Editor’s note: presented to Hartford additional photos of Federation of Teachers convention delegates, guests President Andrea and speakers are online at Johnson, honoring our Facebook page at Hartford Fed. of Teachers Pres.Andrea Johnson (third from left) her mobilization efforts with HFT and Fed. of Paraprofessionals Delegates www.facebook.com/aftct.] STATE OF THE UNION

The 2014 Legislative Session... (continued from page 1)

over 1,000 new school readiness slots in priority and Alliance Districts, and establishes the “Connecticut Smart Start” competitive grant program. [Editor’s note: photos of Hartford Fed. of Teachers members and legislative leaders at the “Smart Start” launch in April are online at our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/aftct.] Not all of the gains made during the session required passage or signature of individual bills into law -- through they still came about as a result of grassroots advocacy. Bills that adjusted and implemented the state’s biennial budget through the fiscal year ending June of 2015 included numerous State Rep. Susan Johnson Listens to provisions State Vocational Fed. of Teachers important to Vice-President Brian Bisson members of AFT Connecticut unions. Among them are a 50 percent state income tax credit for retired teachers’ pensions phased-in over the next three years. Another directs the comptroller to analyze and determine which so-called “facility fees” charged to the State Employee Health Plan for active and retired state workers are inappropriate or unreasonable. Also included is a three-tiered remedial support program Leaders of Manchester Memorial Hospital Unions and AFT Connecticut at the state university and community-technical college at Office of Health Care Access Conversion Application Public Hearing systems for eligible students. The legislature’s Program Review and Investigations [Editor’s note: public comments on passage of the conversion Committee also agreed to study the issue of paraprofessional bill are online in the “Press Releases” staffing levels in Connecticut public schools section of the “News” page at our and provide recommendations to the General website at www.aftct.org.] Assembly. The action was in response to Two bills passed in the lobbying efforts by members of PSRP Council legislature and signed by the local unions and AFT Connecticut’s staff. governor collectively present The session also produced a number of a multi-pronged approach to significant advances for the broader labor reaching universal access to movement that AFT Connecticut advocated high quality preschool programs for in coalition with other unions and our taught by certified teachers. community allies. Democratic leaders in the State Examples include raising the state’s House and Senate, the Malloyminimum wage and the creation of a new Wyman Administration, public board to study and propose a defined benefit school educator unions, and a retirement plan for workers whose employers coalition of private providers each don’t provide it. Middletown Fed. of Teachers Member played important roles in their [Editor’s note: full report on session wins Heather Rodman at Capitol News development. The new laws codify is online in the “Legislative Acton” section of the Briefing on Smart Start Bill Passage the Office of Early Childhood, adds “Politics” page at our website at www.aftct.org.] by prohibiting disclosure of personal information. The law closes a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) loophole that allowed Court Support Services Division clients and those under correction department supervision or custody for violating probation to access the information. [Editor’s note: photos of JPE Union members with Governor Malloy for the bill signing in June are online at our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/aftct.] Patient, consumer and caregiver protections in the conversion of Connecticut’s community hospitals were put in place with legislation passed in the session’s closing hours and since signed by the governor. The law creates a “firewall” between for-profit and non-profit medical foundations, limits entities to a single foundation, and establishes additional criteria for conversion applications. They include an additional public hearing, designation of hospital staffing levels as an indicator of “quality patient care,” and greater oversight by state legal and public health authorities.

6 STATE OF THE UNION

“Primary” Union Victories

t was a clean sweep for AFT Connecticut-endorsed candidates in the August 12 Primary Elections. State Rep. Chris Perone (Norwalk), State Rep. Linda Orange (Colchester, Lebanon, Windham and Mansfield), State Sen. Eric Coleman (Bloomfield, Hartford, and Windsor), and Elizabeth “Betsy” Ritter all won their party’s nomination to be on the November 4 General Election ballot. Their victories came about in no small part due to the volunteer efforts of union members to “Get Out The Vote” among their friends, family, and neighbors. As incumbents, Reps. Perone and Orange and Sen. Coleman each fended off challenges from candidates vying for the Democratic Party’s nomination in their districts. Each were recommended for endorsement by our Legislative and Political Action Committee (LPAC) for their strong records on working families issues in the legislature. The committee also relied upon a solid record in choosing to back Ritter, who is serving her fifth term in the General Assembly’s House of Representatives. She won the party’s nomination to be on the November ballot for the senate district that includes Waterford, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Salem. [Editor’s note: current list of LPAC recommended and Executive Committee-endorsed candidates is at the “Endorsements” section of the “Politics” page of our website at www.aftct.org.] Members can do their part in making sure AFT Connecticutendorsed candidates committed to preventing a “Wisconsin moment” win the General Election by volunteering to talk to other union members. Weekend “Labor 2014” walks in local communities and weekday phone banks in union halls throughout the state are scheduled through Election Backus Fed. of Nurses Members Carol Adams and Day. Training and materials -- plus coffee and doughnuts -- are provided. Donna Grabarek Provide Election Day Visibility in [Editor’s note: scheduled walks and phone banks are posted at the Montville “Calendar” of our website at www.aftct.org.]

Driving Change in State Education Policy

ver the summer, AFT Connecticut and our allies made significant progress working together on a variety of issues impacting teachers and support personnel in our state’s schools. In frequent communications by email and home delivery to PreK-12 and PSRP Council members officers provided updates on steps taken to “reclaim the promise” of public education in Connecticut. [Editor’s note: previous Membership Updates are online in the “Take Action” section of our website at www.aftct.org.] The summer began with the launch by the Malloy-Wyman Administration of the “Connecticut Core Initiative” to put to work the recommendations of the task force they created in March. Many of its action items regarding implementation of the new standards were addressed in a resolution passed a month later at the AFT national convention in Los Angeles. [Editor’s note: the task force report, “CT Core Initiative,” and AFT National Convention resolution are in the “Common Core State Standards” section of the “Professional Development” page at our website at www.aftct.org.] Then in mid-August, the administration announced there would be a change in leadership at the State Department of Education (SDE) and that the commissioner would not serve a second term. This watershed development immediately created a significant opportunity to further shape the agency’s future; the Malloy-Wyman Administration a week later appointed AFT Connecticut Vice-President and Meriden Federation of Teachers President Erin Benham to the State Board of Education (SBOE). [Editor’s note: public comments on both the announcement of new SDE leadership and Erin’s SBOE appointment are online in the “Press Releases” section of the “News” page at our website at www.aftct.org.] Combined with the changes to teacher evaluations AFT Connecticut and our public education allies last winter and spring negotiated with the Meriden Fed. of Teachers Pres. Erin Benham is administration, these developments demonstrate real progress on education Sworn-In to the State Board of Education policy. STATE OF THE UNION

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Our “Connecticut Moment” Melodie Peters, AFT Connecticut President

uch has been said about gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley’s call for a “Wisconsin moment” in Connecticut. To anyone who observed the assault on public employees in the Badger State three years ago, there’s no question about what he meant; the loss of union members’ collective bargaining rights. Yet when he appeared in June at the Connecticut AFL-CIO’s political convention, Mr. Foley claimed he meant something else. From the reaction of the more than 300 union delegates gathered in the room, no one was buying it. When Governor Malloy took to the same stage later that day, he thanked the working women and men of our state’s labor movement for joining with him to create a “Connecticut moment.” The delegates took to their feet and applauded, signaling the choice that they would be making the next day in formally endorsing the Malloy-Wyman ticket. The two phrases illustrate the starkly different futures we face based on the choice we make in November. To understand Mr. Foley’s “Wisconsin moment,” one only needs to look at what Governor Scott Walker did to teachers and public employees in his state in pushing through “Act 10.” Passed by newly-elected Republican majorities in both chambers of their statehouse, the 2011 law stripped nearly all collective bargaining rights from Wisconsin municipal, county and state workers.

And their impact has been devastating. From wage cuts of up to 15% to decreased employer pension contributions to an increased share of healthcare costs, the losses have been costly and painful for public employees. Worse, they were unilaterally instituted by management without negotiation. In contrast, the Malloy-Wyman Administration’s “Connecticut moment” is a record of progress made possible by our fundamental collective bargaining rights. At a time when political leaders across the country were silencing workers’ voices, AFT Connecticut has actually collaborated in improving and developing public policy. Have we agreed with every initiative, appointee, or administrative change proposed by the administration? Of course not. But the right to advocate for our members has meant that differences could be reconciled and divisions could be bridged. Compare that to Mr. Foley’s “Wisconsin moment,” where we risk losing more than a seat at the table. Without collective bargaining, disagreement leaves little more recourse than shouting from the sidelines. When your pay, pension and healthcare are at stake, we can’t afford a political leader who emulates a governor that cut all three from his state’s public employees. That’s why I believe we should choose the Malloy-Wyman ticket and our “Connecticut moment” in November.

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