This year, the Connecticut State Police Union celebrates 25 years of dedicated service to its members. The benefits listed below have been gained by your Union for you through collective bargaining with the State of Connecticut and appear in your copy of the Contract Booklet. The list is by no means complete and the fight to attain better benefits and working conditions continues.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUR UNION

Prior to 1970, there was no Union for State Police Officers. Working conditions and benefits were dictated. We had little input in how Troopers’ jobs and compensation were determined. This meant low pay, no overtime for long hours of work, frequent changes to our shift schedules, poor medical coverage, and an unfair disciplinary process. Basically, Troopers had no rights at all.

In the early 1970’s, Troopers joined Chapter 174 of the Connecticut State Employees Association (CSEA) to improve these poor working conditions. Through CSEA, a shortened work week to 40 hours, enhancement of medical benefits, and improved working conditions were established. However, Troopers were still being disciplined without just cause, transferred to undesirable work assignments and locations, in addition to being paid low wages. Troopers were still dependent “on the kindness of strangers” – the Governor, Legislature and Management.

In the late 1970’s Troopers finally won the right to collectively bargain. Troopers could bargain with the State of Connecticut over pay, benefits and working conditions. But Troopers felt lost inside a large State Employee Union of some 40,000 workers with only 800 Troopers represented by CSEA. In addition, Troopers have unique careers, problems, and working conditions. An independent Union was needed to devote more time and energy to the unique character of law enforcement, and to the challenges of having a labor Union inside a paramilitary organization like the State Police, which is also insulated from many of the innovations in personal and labor relations.

On July 1, 1981, Troopers broke away from CSEA and formed the Connecticut State Police Union. The Union became the exclusive collective bargaining representatives for State Troopers, and Sergeants. Five collective bargaining agreements were negotiated. The Union has made great strides in improving Troopers’ working conditions through tough negotiations at the bargaining table, and lobbying at the State Capitol. The Union will continue to attain better benefits and working conditions. Some of the Union’s establishments includes:

• Tuition Reimbursement for up to nine credit/semester at $90.00 per credit for undergrad and $110 per credit for graduate courses. The fund available for 1995-1999 Contract per year is $40,000. Unexpended funds rollover year-to-year.
• Training funds for training opportunities available to Union members through the Union School Committee is $20,000. Unexpended funds rollover year-to-year.
• Accidental Death or Dismemberment policy of $50,000 per member.
• Eleven incremental step pay plan automatically increases pay each year on your anniversary date for ten (10) years in addition to raises obtained through the Negotiating process.
• Advancement to Rank of Trooper First Class or Detective after seven (7) years of service.
• Hazardous Duty Pay of $100 per month additional for members performing the following duties: Pilots, Divers, SWAT, Bomb Squad, Dog Handlers and Resident Troopers.
• Night Shift Differential of $0.65 per hour.
• Sick Leave Bank available after completion of your probationary period for use by members who have exhausted their own sick leave and are suffering from a serious continuing illness or injury not job related.
• Training funds for training opportunities available to Union members through the Union School Committee is $20,000.
• Accidental Death or Dismemberment Policy of $50,000 per member.
• Eleven incremental step pay plan automatically increases pay each year on your anniversary date for ten years in addition to raises obtained through the negotiating process.
• Advancement to Rank of Trooper First Class or Detective after seven years of service.
• Hazardous Duty Pay of $100 per month additional for members performing the following duties: Pilots, Divers, SWAT, Bomb Squad, Dog Handlers and Resident Troopers.
• Sick Leave Bank available after completion of your probationary period for use by members who have exhausted their own sick leave and are suffering from a serious continuing illness or injury not job related.
• Overtime Pay at time and one-half of your hourly wage.
• Work Schedule of 5-day workweek with 3 days off.
• Light Duty Designated Positions available to enable incapacitated sworn personnel to perform departmental functions although unable to fully perform their normal assignments.
• Off-Duty Use of Assigned Vehicle with Department providing the associated costs for vehicle maintenance.
• No Fault Insurance Coverage for the State Police Fleet to $1,000,000.
• Availability Overtime at Highway Construction Sites throughout the State at the rate of time and one-half your hourly wage plus Meal Allowance and Shift Differential.
• Commencement of a new radio system Troop-wide.
• Negotiated improvements to certain state disability retirement allowances known as "The Reidy-Pelletier Bill". This "Bill" will assist injured Troopers' to obtain more benefits during their retirement disability.

These are a few of the benefits obtained by the Union in its ongoing quest for better pay and benefits. Refer to your copy of the current Union Contract agreement for a more complete list of rights, working conditions and benefits.