Please see the Spring 2021 Adjunct Pay Schedule

HCCC Support Staff Unit Local 6026 members,

I think you all agree that the second half of this year has been full of surprises that none of us could have ever imagined going through.  We can say that for the most part we all hung in there through thick and thin and came out stronger for it. We’ve had some challenges in 2020 and know that in the new year we will still have to work even harder to make sure that we stay the course and face those challenges head on and we will.   You have a strong union and we are all here for each other.  As long as we stick together we will win! 

That being said, we just wanted  to wish you all a happy, healthy, safe and peaceful holiday season and new year before we all go our separate ways.  We look forward to a much better 2021 and believe strongly that we will come out a better stronger organization.

Enjoy your holiday break and we’ll see you in 2021!

In Solidarity,

Your HCCC Support Staff Union Local 6026 Leadership Team

Dorothea, Patrick, Daisy, and Hope

DUE TO COVID-19, THE UCPEA OFFICE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED AND STAFF ARE WORKING REMOTELY. TO CONTACT THE OFFICE PLEASE CALL THE MAIN OFFICE AT (860) 487-0850,  EMAIL THE GENERAL MAILBOX AT UCPEAOFFICE@UCPEA.ORG OR THE STAFF PERSON YOU ARE WORKING WITH DIRECTLY. THE LIST OF STAFF EMAIL ADDRESSES CAN BE FOUND UNDER THE CONTACT US MENU. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES.

03/08/2021

The UCPEA Executive Board asks our members to stand in solidarity with our colleagues in the Asian American Cultural Center, UConn’s Association for Asian American Faculty and Staff (AAAFS), and the Asian and Asian American Studies Institute (AAASI) in supporting the Asian and Asian-American members of our community, following news reports of increased anti-Asian violence across the United States, including a front page story in today’s Hartford Courant.

The attachments to this message include a statement from AAAFS describing the increasing incidents of hate crimes, bias incidents and racist bullying against Asians and Asian Americans. There is also information about a virtual panel discussion on March 18 at 5 p.m. that will provide perspectives on today’s climate and its impact on UConn’s Asian and Asian American community that will include UConn students, faculty, and staff to help galvanize anti-racist efforts that will benefit us all.

Personal Leave:  Please don't forget to use your PL time before the end of this calendar year, there is nothing we can do to recover the time for you if you don't use it by 12/31/2020, it is "use it or lose it".

Step Increases/Top Step Payments:  Step Increments will occur on January 1, 2021 and show up in your 1/29/21 paycheck (yes, this is that very rare year when the start of the payperiod is actually January 1 so we will get the increment later than we normally would expect to receive it).  Those already on the 9th Step who can't receive a Step Increment will receive a 2.5% Top Step Payment on 1/29/21.

Paid Family Medical Leave Insurance: this is a new law passed in 2019 which establishes pay and job protection to all Connecticut employees relating to medical or family leaves.  The key takeaway from this: currently, this program does not apply to unionized State Employees and we will NOT have the 1/2% contribution withheld from our paychecks.  Unionized State Employees can negotiate for inclusion in the PFMLI, but we currently are not covered by this act and therefore not required to make contributions.  There are aspects of the PFMLI that are beneficial (and arguably there are situations where the PFMLI is advantageous to what we currently have), so it is intriguing as to whether we would want to join, but understand that we are currently exempt and we are not looking to change that at this time.

Telecommuting and Winter Weather:  A reminder to those on telecommuting schedules that major winter weather events do not automatically impact your work day.  As a general rule, if you have the capability to telework during the weather event, you should do so, regardless of the impact the weather event has on office operations.  Think of it this way: shift cancellations, late openings, and early dismissals are usually made to keep us off of the roads during hazardous conditions.  Those hazardous conditions will not be encountered by telecommuters. If you are deemed "essential" for snow storms and required to leave your home to report to work under a Governor's closing of the offices, you will qualify for Comp Time.

Contract Negotiations:  Our collective bargaining agreement expires June 30, 2021.  Preparations are underway to negotiate a successor agreement.  The union's negotiations team held its first meeting with our counterparts from the Office of Labor Relations in early December, at that meeting ground rules were established for the coming negotiation sessions, which will commence in early 2021.

Have a happy and safe Christmas and New Year's celebration!

-12/23/2020

NOVEMBER 2020 by Jane Weihe

A couple of weeks ago we were enjoying a Zoom session on our back porch with some NYC friends when our carbon monoxide alarm went off. It was a warm and humid night. But this time was different.

Please click the link, DFT Final Results, to view the results from the 2020 Biennial Election of Officers, Executive Board and Trustees.  

Our vision for the future of public education in New Mexico extends beyond our classrooms, schoolyards and places of learning; it permeates our communities. This vision, based on the collective wisdom of educators, not only encourages students to become creators and innovators, but also is pragmatic in its approach. It acknowledges shared responsibility and the fact that our state’s social and economic challenges are inextricably linked with our desire to create a robust public education system that serves the needs of all students, from early education through higher education.

A&R's Social Committee pulled off a miracle of their own this year.  In keeping with longstanding tradition, and despite the pandemic, A&R held it's annual Holiday Party at the Aqua Turf!  This year, 2020, was a lot different than most - and our party was different too.  For one thing - Santa and his elves were in attendance!  A&R members were able to safely gather (truth is there was no gathering) to enjoy fun, friendship, solidarity, and holiday cheer.  Social distancing was achieved, with members lining up in their cars to safely attend the roll-through party, one car at a time.  Games were played, prizes awarded, and all to the sound of holiday music!

Thank you to all who attended. A special thank you to all the volunteers who made this event possible...and thank you to all the A&R members who donated toys in support of the United Labor Agency's Toys for Tots program.

We hope you enjoy the holiday season!!!!

Click on the link below to see photos from the 2020 Holiday Party
https://photos.app.goo.gl/L3bndyVPvLkmamHM9

Winners of the Baskets:

Wine Basket - Ana Rybka
Coffee Basket - Shiela Rittman
Lotto Frame - Lakiya White-Moore
Man Basket - Mike Kordowski
Comfort Basket - Tawny Pho
Italian Basket - Lisa Marie Cavaliere
Quarantine Basket - Jessica Silva
Winter - Noelle Bisson

The Winner of the 65" TV:  Mark Burno