U.S. Supreme Court

Resisting a Deceptive, Anti-Union Agenda

Wed, 08/31/2022 - 3:30pm
Escalating attempts by billionaire-bankrolled local front groups to undermine Connecticut's labor movement are falling flat and destined for failure. That's the message AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel (right, in photo below) delivered in a recent letter to the editor of CT Examiner. She flunked a mouthpiece who in a previous published letter carried water for "shadowy, dark money-funded front groups with an agenda opposed to working peoples' interests:"
 

Winning in 2018, Overcoming in 2019

Wed, 01/02/2019 - 6:30pm
As we begin a new year, questions remain about the direction for Connecticut and the country. What is not in question is the direction of our union and our labor movement. That's because the "roadmap" state federation leaders adopted in 2017 and which inspired many local affiliates' strategic plans in 2018 are firmly rooted in common guiding principles. Collectively, they demonstrate that the "U & I in Union" assures that when we stand together, we are strong.
 

Providing "Proven Strategies for Building Power"

Sat, 08/18/2018 - 10:30am
Building on successful volunteer-based initiatives spanning the past three years, AFT Connecticut will this fall launch the next generation of its Member Organizer Institute (MOI) program. The effort, jointly funded by our national union, state federation and local affiliates, seeks to build greater participation by offering compensation to our most valuable resource — active members. The application period is now open, and leaders are seeking potential candidates for a paid cohort to begin training in late September.
 
Click here for a fact sheet on the MOI program.
 

Defending the "Future of Our Collective Bargaining Rights"

Mon, 07/09/2018 - 5:00pm
A Republican legislative leader last week launched a politically motivated media attack on gains made by state employee unions. At issue are contractual bonuses due later this month as part of a 2017 agreement to protect jobs, extend benefits and preserve services. In reality, the true targets are the collective bargaining rights that secured them — rights which face an uncertain future in the wake of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
 
Click here for reporting on the state Senator's remarks.
 

Responding to Attacks on "Our Rights and Freedoms"

Thu, 06/28/2018 - 5:00pm
The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday issued its long-anticipated ruling in the Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 lawsuit — one that favors billionaires out to destroy America's labor movement. The 5-4 decision overturned a four decades-old precedent and has long been the goal of a shadowy network of deep-pocketed political operatives. Here in Connecticut, union members gathered in Hartford to denounce this judicial attack on their freedom to negotiate a fair return on their work.
 

"U & I in Union:" Electing Our Own Advocates

Sat, 06/09/2018 - 10:30am
Our members' jobs, whether in public education, healthcare, higher education or state service, are heavily impacted by policy decisions made at the local, state and federal levels. That’s why electing those who will stand up for working people has long been a high priority for AFT Connecticut. We're sharing the story of one such success in backing a retired teacher and lifelong education advocate as yet another example of the "union difference" in our lives.
 

Joining the Call for a "Moral Revival" in Connecticut

Wed, 05/09/2018 - 5:00pm
Members of affiliated unions have for years engaged in grassroots community and faith-based efforts to tackle discrimination, poverty and inequality where they work and live. Several local social justice organizations allied with AFT Connecticut have begun coordinating state activities in the "Poor People's Campaign (PPC): A National Call for Moral Revival." State federation leaders last month took steps to be part of this movement, rooted in the unfinished work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
 

"U & I in Union:" Winning Labor Peace in the Workplace

Fri, 04/27/2018 - 12:30pm
The lion's share of analysis of current corporate-backed attempts to undermine collective bargaining rights have focused on their impact on employees' wages, health and retirement benefits. Yet, the ability to negotiate better working conditions often proves as valuable as regular raises or affordable medical coverage. In another example of the "union difference," we're sharing the story of how contract language for resolving conflicts provided recourse for a paraprofessional facing a hostile workplace.
 

Fighting for the Free, Fair Choice to Organize in the Workplace

Thu, 04/19/2018 - 5:30pm
Following years of advocacy, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in 2014 adopted rules to streamline union elections for working people in the private sector. The reform now faces significant risk from the Trump Administration's appointees to the federal agency overseeing the nation's employment laws. In response, the labor movement in Connecticut is escalating efforts to assure a harassment-free process for workers seeking a stronger voice on the job.
 

"U & I in Union:" Putting Collective Action Theory into Practice

Thu, 03/29/2018 - 5:30pm
Sharing personal stories that demonstrate union members' collective strength can be an effective tool in mobilizing a strong defense of hard-won rights and fundamental freedoms. In the face of escalating attacks by special interests seeking to sow discord and division among working people, they take on added urgency. To that end, we're lifting up examples like this story of how the "union difference" prevented an economic disaster for a veteran public employee's family.
 
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