Forty-nine of our sisters and brothers from AFSCME Local 269 (CT Dept. of Labor) have been notified to expect layoffs at the end of the year. As appeals referees and claims interviewers, these durational and intermittent DOL employees are necessary for the functioning of the DOL and the Unemployment Division. They performed heroically during the COVID crisis to process thousands of unemployment claims for families in need.

The State needs to retain these skilled employees, not lay them off. Their vast institutional knowledge and skills are an asset for our State and taxpayers. After decades of cuts and chronic short-staffing, now is the time to invest in our unemployment system - not erode it.

We need your support. Tell Governor Lamont and your state legislators to stop these layoffs.

Click here to send an email to Gov. Lamont and your legislators.

A draft letter has already been prepared that you can review, edit and send to them right away. Please share this link with co-workers, family, friends, and your network. The more people that contact our leaders the more they will be encouraged to stop the layoffs.

Once your email has been sent. Please follow up with a phone call. Click here for instructions on calling the Gov. and legislators including a phone script. Again numbers really count, so please urge others to make phone calls too.

Together we can protect these durational and intermittent employees from layoffs and ensure the public receives the unemployment services they need in a timely, proficient and professional manner as executed by these highly qualified employees.