Raises, Bonuses Included In Tentative CT State Employee Contract

CONNECTICUT — State officials announced the tentative state employee union bargaining agreement, which calls for multiple years of raises and bonus payments. The bargaining units ratified the agreement earlier in the week, and it now it heads to the state legislature for consideration.

The State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition represents 35 different bargaining units and more than 40,000 state employees.

The agreement calls for 2.5 percent general wage increases and step increases retroactive to July 1, 2022. That will be followed by 2.5 percent raises on July 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023. Negotiators will meet again to determine raises after the time period.

SEBAC employees who are employed before March 31, 2022 would also get a $2,500 bonus. Those employed on July 15, 2022 would get a $1,000 bonus if the agreement is approved. Bonuses would be prorated for part-time employees.

Hazard or pandemic pay wasn’t part of the negotiations, but will be resolved as part of another agreement, Lamont said.

State law calls for equity in salary adjustments between union and non-union employees.

Lamont said the state has to live within its means, but state employees did extraordinary work during the worst of the pandemic and inflation has increased costs. The state also faces a potential wave of retirements.

“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.