2018 Gubernatorial Election

Working Together to Protect Retirement Security

Tue, 01/29/2019 - 6:30pm
A small group of leaders representing several public sector unions in mid January sat down with Governor Ned Lamont and members of his new administration. The purpose of the informal meeting was to explore potential efforts to further safeguard pensions for state employees and shore up retirement funding for teachers. The discussion followed Lamont's frequent assertions last year as a candidate to treat working people — particularly, union members — in Connecticut with "fairness, dignity and respect."
 

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.
 

Standing Up to the State Employee "Blame Game"

Sat, 12/22/2018 - 1:00pm
Last month on Election Day the candidates for statewide office and the legislature who pledged to stand up for Connecticut's working families won big. Yet corporate lobbyists and their front groups continue pushing austerity policies that benefit big business and the ultra-rich ahead of the opening of the General Assembly's 2019 session. Union leaders are mobilizing to ensure the new Lamont Administration and incoming lawmakers make better choices than more middle-class givebacks or additional public service cuts.
 

Building the Foundation for a Better Future

Fri, 11/09/2018 - 6:00pm
The polls are closed, the votes are in and Connecticut’s political landscape through 2020 is clear. Thanks to the collective efforts of the labor movement, candidates won on Tuesday who ran as problem solvers and champions for working people. Members of AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions played a decisive role in the outcome, helping propel 73 percent of those we backed in the General Election ballot to victory.
 
Click here for the results of our endorsed candidates' races.
 

Comments on State GOP's "Shameful and Hypocritical" Public School Political Rally

Fri, 10/12/2018 - 1:30pm
Jan Hochadel, president of AFT Connecticut, made the following remarks regarding the Connecticut Republican Party's announced rally for political candidates tomorrow at Pomperaug Regional High School in Southbury:
 

Winning Power for Working People at the Ballot Box

Fri, 09/07/2018 - 5:30pm
The Labor Day holiday weekend traditionally marks the beginning of the "political season" when most voters begin to pay attention to the choices in early November's General Election. Dozens of activists in AFT Connecticut-affiliated unions have been engaged in the process as far back as last winter. Their efforts have built a foundation that is providing momentum for the final phase of our member-powered political program for 2018, which is now underway.
 

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.
 

Backing a Governor to Confront the Special Interests

Tue, 05/15/2018 - 5:30pm
Delegates to AFT Connecticut’s annual business convention on Saturday voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution to formally endorse Ned Lamont's candidacy in the 2018 gubernatorial election. The action follows months of preparations and preliminary mobilization that began last fall with the development of our state federation's strategic plan. The resolution sets in motion the critical volunteer recruitment phase in which union members will be tapped to fuel our grassroots "labor is your neighbor" program.
 

Educators to Lawmakers: "Our Students Can't Wait"

Mon, 01/08/2018 - 6:00pm
Legislators today convened in Hartford to restore funds cut in last fall's compromise budget package for a program serving low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities. Their fix, however, relies on "savings" from decreased state contributions to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS); an occupational tax imposed on Connecticut educators. At the same time, the budget's failure to fully fund public schools, coupled with additional cuts proposed by the governor to mitigate ongoing shortfalls, threaten to shortchange students' futures.
 

Resisting Discriminatory Policies Targeting Teachers

Mon, 10/30/2017 - 2:30pm
Union members' advocacy over the past six weeks succeeded in blocking several proposed budgetary policies threatening harm to students in schools across the state. Still, the compromise package passed last week by lawmakers contains two provisions unfairly singling out Connecticut's hard-working educators. To reverse the damage in 2018, teachers will need to double-down on both member and political engagement during what will be a critical year to be "all in."
 
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