Testimony of Lori J. Pelletier,
Secretary-Treasurer, Connecticut AFL-CIO before the Labor and Public Employees
Committee
February 15, 2007
Good Afternoon Senator Prague,
Representative Ryan and the Members of the Labor and Public Employees
Committee. I am Lori Pelletier and I serve as Secretary-Treasurer of the
Connecticut AFL-CIO. I am here on behalf of our 900 affiliated local unions
from all across this great state who represent 211,000 working men and women,
and I appreciate the invitation to address this committee.
Thank you for the opportunity to
speak with you this afternoon regarding the bills you have before your
committee.
S.B. No. 1051 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING THE INSPECTION AND EVALUATION OF AIR QUALITY
IN STATE BUILDINGS. We
support this legislation, we would ask that it also include state leased
buildings.
S.B. No. 1138 (RAISED) AN ACT REQUIRING SAFETY INSPECTIONS BY STATE EMPLOYEES OF
CERTAIN STATE PROJECTS. We support this legislation. Oversight is necessary when it comes to our
tax dollars going out to bid.
H.B. No. 5706 (COMM) AN ACT CONCERNING LEAVE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES PROVIDING DISASTER
RELIEF SERVICES. We
salute State employees who volunteer during times of crisis, and the best way
to show our collective support is to provide them with the necessary time off.
H.B. No. 6957 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING LIGHT DUTY WORK IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTION. We
support this legislation because we believe when workers are able to return to
work under light duty assignment they should be given that oportunity.
H.B. No. 7033 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING IMPACT STATEMENTS FOR MAJOR LAYOFFS OR
DISMISSALS OF STATE EMPLOYEES. We strongly support this legislation. Layoff impacts more
than just the employee directly impacted. It effects
their families as well as every state employee bargaining unit. The ripple effect of layoffs are extremely serious and should not be
left to chance. Asking for impacts statement is responsible governing.
We support the following
pieces of legislation:
H.B. No. 7034 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS FOR IN-HOME
STATE SUBSIDIZED DAY CARE PROVIDERS.
H.B. No. 7103 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR STATE MANAGERS.
I want to thank this
committee for holding this public hearing and if you have any questions I’d be
glad to address them.