In July, more than 115 activists from AFT Connecticut affiliates joined over 3,500 fellow delegates from across the country in Washington, D.C., for AFT’s national biennial convention. Together, they charted a bold future by passing resolutions on critical issues and electing national leadership for the next four years. Delegates also celebrated reaching a record-high membership of nearly two million and launched the most ambitious program of political activism in our 110-year history.
Union democracy was on full display as delegates debated key policy proposals—from strengthening K-12 and higher education and defending public health, to reining in artificial intelligence (AI) and tackling the ongoing affordability crisis. Thirteen committees, organized by constituency and subject matter, met to debate proposed resolutions and voted to forward scores of them to the convention floor for final action.
Resolving to Prevent Gun Violence
AFT Connecticut’s Executive Committee presented two key resolutions for debate, including a landmark measure addressing secure firearms storage and framing gun violence in school communities as a critical workplace safety issue.
The Healthcare Access/Quality Committee, chaired by AFT Connecticut Vice President John Brady, RN, took up this vital initiative. With support from national union leaders, Brady shepherded the resolution through the committee and championed its selection as one of only three featured for action on the convention floor.
Rising to call on delegates to adopt the policy, retired Newtown Federation of Teachers member Abbey Clements stated, “This resolution brings our union from outrage to action.” She framed safe firearms storage as a proven solution, emphasizing that “school shootings, unintentional shootings and suicide by a firearm – these are not inevitable.”
Following a standing ovation, delegates unanimously adopted the resolution.
Fighting for a Better Life for All
Beyond the committee process, delegates joined their divisional peers for panel discussions on the most significant challenges facing their workplaces and communities. Dozens of breakout meetings and receptions covered a wide range of innovative solutions being embraced by members nationally and globally.
“It was great to hear everybody talk not only about their wins but also about their goals going forward,” said Brady. “I think the fact that we are so many independent locals across the country in a federation that allows us to work together and learn from each other gives us a chance to experiment with different solutions.”
The central focus across nearly every plenary, panel, workshop and speech was the critical importance of the upcoming midterm elections. National union president Randi Weingarten outlined an ambitious political engagement strategy focused on mobilizing voters and protecting ballot access this fall.
The View from Fresh Eyes
First-time national convention delegate and Meriden Federation of Teachers Steward Robin Cusachs noted that her main goal was to “bring back what I learn to my city. I’ve learned a lot that will help me in my role on my local’s political action committee.”
Cusachs was among several first-time Connecticut delegates in attendance. Two delegates shared their four-day experience with fellow union members via a social media video.
“We’re facing many of the same issues that the other 390 locals represented here are facing,” said University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA) Vice President for Political Affairs Amber LaFontaine. “Through solidarity, we’ll prevail.”
“When we see each other – and really hear each other – we can accomplish anything,” said Backus Federation of Nurses Convention Delegate Amber DeSouza, RN. “When we work together, anything’s possible.”
Recognizing Labor’s Legacy
The convention also provided an opportunity to honor activists who have dedicated their lives to the labor movement and working families. “Lifetime Achievement” awards were presented to long-time United Farm Workers (UFW) leader Dolores Huerta and Connecticut’s own U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro.
At the Women’s Rights Breakfast on the final day, University Health Professionals (UHP) Chief Steward Jean Morningstar was awarded the “Living the Legacy Award – Gold Recognition” for her 40 years of service and leadership.
“No one in the labor movement does anything by themselves; it’s a group effort,” Morningstar reflected. “When they say, ‘an injury to one is an injury to all,’ well, a victory for one is a victory for all.”
Re-Electing Leaders to Guide the Next Two Years
Delegates cast their ballots to re-elect Weingarten as president, Fedrick C. Ingram as secretary-treasurer and Evelyn DeJesus as executive vice president. They also elected 43 national vice presidents to the Executive Council to serve through 2028, including AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel.
“I am deeply grateful for the trust that members across the country have once again placed in me,” said Hochadel. “Bringing Connecticut’s voice to the national stage is a privilege and a profound responsibility – one that I carry into every debate, policy decision and fight for our working families.”
With a busy and ambitious convention agenda complete, AFT Connecticut’s delegates have returned to their local communities energized and ready for the work ahead. Emerging activists interested in participating in future state or national AFT events or allied labor coalitions are encouraged to reach out to their local union leadership.
Editor’s note: additional contributions from Christina Bartolomeo, Melanie Boyer, Sharone Carmona, Adrienne Coles, Annette Licitra, AFT.
The post Taking Center Stage at the National Convention first appeared on AFT Connecticut.
Securing a strong first contract with a new corporate owner has finally closed the door on a prolonged period of anxiety and uncertainty for members of an AFT Connecticut-affiliated healthcare union. In our latest quarterly collective bargaining wins report, we showcase how a dedicated negotiating committee turned the corner on frozen pensions, failed acquisitions and corporate bankruptcy. Their resilience in minimizing concessions and moving forward stands as an inspiring example of how strategic compromise can lead to victory.
In early May, leaders of our Federation of Nurses and Health Care Professionals secured a historic tentative agreement with Hartford HealthCare (HHC). The non-profit network assumed control of Manchester Memorial and Rockville General Hospitals in January after acquiring them from Prospect Medical Holdings (PMH), a California-based firm controlled by predatory private equity stakeholders.
Exceeding Expectations
“Our goal for this first round of negotiations with HHC was to avoid a prolonged battle,” said local union president Anne Marie Cerra, RN (center photo at left, in collage, above). “Not only were they respectful, but we secured a favorable settlement much more quickly than anyone anticipated. More importantly, our members’ overwhelming support proved that we succeeded in holding the line and making gains where it mattered most.”
Cerra and her dedicated negotiating committee, supported by AFT Connecticut Field Representative Ed Leavy, brought an ambitious agenda to their inaugural bargaining sessions with HHC. The corporate mismanagement that preceded the hospital acquisition had taken a heavy toll on the frontline healthcare professionals and the communities they have served for generations.
“The past decade under private equity ownership was devastating for our staff and our patients,” said Belia LeCoultre, RN (left photo, above), who served on the negotiating committee before recently retiring. “To watch the community institutions we depend on be driven into Chapter 11 bankruptcy by out-of-state executives was demoralizing. Every single one of us was ready to turn the page and fight for the stable, secure future our patients deserve.”
Mitigating Givebacks
The new three-year agreement provides annual salary increases and incorporates the committee’s strategic proposal to front-load the raises, which was aimed at boosting recruitment and retention to address staffing shortfalls. Beyond wage increases, they successfully protected members’ accumulated paid time off (PTO) for up to three years, fulfilling a top priority heading into the talks.
“We are thrilled to move forward with HHC while preserving the strength of our union,” said committee member Ashley Keegan, RN (right photo, above). “Above all, this experience highlighted why strong union leadership is so essential. Guided by transparent communication and backed by a united membership at the bargaining table, our union representation is what ensured we stood firm instead of giving back.”
While compromising and accepting some of HHC’s proposals, the committee successfully fended off the network’s push for its merit pay system, used to limit wage growth in its non-unionized facilities. The contract also establishes a phased implementation of HHC’s corporate policies, protecting members from sudden work-rule changes and ensuring a smoother transition to the new administrative framework.
Members voted overwhelmingly to ratify the agreement in mid-May, putting these hard-won protections and well-earned raises into immediate effect.
Additional Victories this Quarter
The contract victory for Manchester and Rockville nurses is one of several recent labor wins across the state. Since our previous quarterly report in April, four additional local unions have successfully ratified new contracts that protect workers and strengthen community services:
Simsbury Federation of Education Personnel Newtown Custodian and Maintenance Association Newtown Federation of Education Personnel Norwalk Federation of TeachersAnother recent local contract victory is currently awaiting final employer approval and will be featured in an upcoming collective bargaining report.
The post Turning the Corner with a Landmark New Contract first appeared on AFT Connecticut.
Thanks to the activism of union leaders, millions in state resources have been secured to stabilize vital research being done at Connecticut’s flagship public university and medical academic center. Our affiliated UCHC-AAUP President Ion Moraru (ninth from left, in photo, above), Vice President Neena Qasba (fourth from left) and Secretary-Treasurer Mark Maciejewski (seventh from left) shared the story in a recently published op-ed. They detail how, in response to unprecedented federal grant cuts, they mobilized to improve the “daily lives of our patients, students, neighbors and families:”
Governor Ned Lamont’s recent allocation of $35 million from the Federal Cuts Response Fund is a vital step toward safeguarding economic growth and scientific innovation. This critical investment in the University of Connecticut (UConn) and UConn Health (UCH) demonstrates the true power of collective action. By uniting our union, elected officials, and university administration behind a shared vision, we have secured a victory that will benefit students, patients and businesses across the state.
This allocation comes at a turning point. Over the past 15 months, historic instability in federal research funding has triggered a staggering 22% drop in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant awards, with projections for the remainder of 2026 showing an 80% decline in new grants. At UConn and UCH, these cuts have already inflicted a $95 million blow, jeopardizing the futures of 2,600 students, trainees and faculty members.
Getting Political to Protect Science
Recognizing the gravity of this crisis, our union spearheaded the push for state leaders to step in and bridge this massive fiscal gap. In March, we testified before the General Assembly’s Higher Education and Advancement Committee to champion a bill defending our state’s research under siege. We called on lawmakers to “invest in our research community, make Connecticut a leader in defending all areas of research, and protect the integrity of scientific inquiry.” Within a week, the committee moved swiftly, embracing state support for a broader $50 million research fund.
The state’s current $35 million commitment does more than just keep research jobs in Connecticut – it sends a clear message that we value scientific inquiry free from political interference. This funding acts as a shield for vital fields targeted by federal rollbacks, including health equity, racial disparities, vaccine safety, LGBTQ+ advocacy and reproductive health. These are not abstract concepts; this research directly impacts the daily lives of our patients, students, neighbors and families.
Demanding More than Damage Control
However, a one-time stopgap cannot be the end of the road. We hope Governor Lamont’s announcement marks the beginning of a sustained, long-term effort to fully fund public higher education. Even with this funding, our students and colleagues continue to brace for future shortfalls – not just from Washington, but from Hartford, too.
Despite having the fiscal resources to weather these storms, Connecticut’s past policy decisions continue to stifle our own growth.
Rigid fiscal roadblocks enacted during the Great Recession continue to limit us. Strictly capping growth and diverting revenues away from active public services has prevented record surpluses from being reinvested into instruction, research and patient care. This diminishes real-term operational support and forces unnecessary tuition hikes on our students.
We should look to our neighbors for inspiration on the next steps. Last year, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey launched the DRIVE initiative, proposing a robust $400 million research fund to ensure the Bay State remains a competitive powerhouse for science and innovation despite federal headwinds. Connecticut can, and should, match that level of ambition.
Building for a Better Future
Sustained investment in UConn and UCH ensures that students finish their degrees, labs stay open, and life-saving scientific discoveries continue to fuel our local economy.. Every single dollar the state invests in university research yields nearly $2 in economic output. In FY 2024, nearly $800 million in NIH grant expenditures supported 6,831 jobs and generated $1.78 billion in commercial activity in Connecticut.
We expect the governor and the state legislature to build boldly on this $35 million foundation. By fully funding the shared mission of UConn and UConn Health, our leaders can empower us to provide world-class higher education, exceptional clinical care and the cutting-edge research Connecticut deserves.
The post Defending Science and Good Jobs at Home first appeared on AFT Connecticut.
Local activists gathered at Yale University’s Amistad Park in New Haven earlier this month to demand accountability from federal lawmakers over a looming $1 trillion in cuts to the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. The event was part of a nationwide mobilization uniting advocates, healthcare workers and public figures across 75 cities and 33 states to amplify a clear message: healthcare cuts kill.
State federation and affiliate leaders spoke directly to how these cuts will squeeze families already reeling from an escalating affordability crisis.
“The loss of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is just the tip of the iceberg,” said AFT Connecticut Vice President John Brady, RN (left, in collage, above). “Many of the biggest harms of the ‘big beautiful bill’ haven’t even gone into effect. The plain truth about those who voted for it is this: they do not believe that healthcare is a right or that it should be accessible and affordable for everyone.”
Catastrophic Cuts to Clinical Care
Brady’s comments targeted Congress’s vote last summer to slash health-related programs and services via H.R. 1. Lawmakers delayed the most devastating impacts of the bill until later this year, but once effective, the damage will be catastrophic. Across the country, over 15 million people are projected to lose health coverage, leading to an estimated 51,000 preventable deaths annually. By stripping funds from Medicaid, the ACA, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), lawmakers executed the largest healthcare rollback in American history.
The New Haven action, spearheaded by labor allies and co-sponsored by a broad coalition of 20 statewide, regional, and local organizations, also celebrated the frontline “healthcare heroes” keeping the system afloat.
“We have to uplift the people who are most impacted; the most vulnerable among us,” said Danielle Berriault, RN (center, above), the president of our Backus Federation of Nurses. “We must, because a rising tide lifts all boats, and that’s what this event is about. How else are we going to be free and have any kind of semblance of a human existence? Together, is how we can do that.”
Undermining Research
The rollback also threatens the future of medicine by gutting federal grants administered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Without these resources, scientists will be forced to abandon promising research into cures for Alzheimer’s, cancer, and other debilitating diseases.
“The impact of these cuts isn’t just short-term; impeding life-saving research carries long-term consequences,” said AAUP Yale Executive Committee Member Jeffrey Wickersham (right, above). “Future medical breakthroughs, new drug discoveries and potential cures for deadly diseases are all at risk. Reducing federal funding grants will cut back on the work done at R1 doctoral universities, like Yale here in Connecticut, and across the country.”
Sounding the Bed Alarm
The event concluded at sunset with a powerful candlelight vigil, honoring those already lost to health inequities and the millions more whose lives remain at risk if federal funding is not restored.
Going forward, our national union and allies across the country are mobilizing for this year’s mid-term elections. We have the opportunity to hold politicians who voted to deny millions of American families access to critical care and life-saving research accountable.
The post Denouncing Cruel Cuts that Threaten Lives first appeared on AFT Connecticut.
A major legislative priority for union members came to fruition during the 2026 session of the Connecticut General Assembly. Moving forward, any healthcare or education professional assaulted in the line of duty will be guaranteed full wage replacement. Following months of testimony at legislative hearings and targeted advocacy with lawmakers, labor activists secured bipartisan support for passage and the governor’s signature of the historic measure into law.
Speaking at the bill-signing ceremony earlier this month, AFT Connecticut Vice President John Brady, RN (pictured above, far right in the third row) shared a compelling personal story highlighting the harsh realities of workplace violence. He recounted a harrowing incident from his time working at a hospital, where he was monitoring a psychiatric patient who attempted suicide.
“I got the noose off his neck, and at that point, he placed me in a headlock,” Brady said. “I was lucky because security got there in time to pull him off me. This assault was so common that my treatment that day was to be given enough time to have a coffee before returning to work. Yet, I’ll still dream about it occasionally 30 years later.”
Closing a Long-Standing Loophole
Prior to this legislation, educators who were assaulted had to sue in the state court system and faced a high burden of proof, resulting in many not pursuing their rights. By closing the loophole with a broader definition of an assault, moving claims to the Workers Compensation Commission (WCC) and expanding protections to health professionals, victims have access to workplace justice.
Prior to this legislation, educators who were assaulted had to sue in the state court system and faced a high burden of proof, resulting in many not pursuing their rights. By closing the loophole with a broader definition of an assault, moving claims to the workers compensation system and expanding protections to health professionals, victims have access to workplace justice
During powerful, emotional testimony before the legislature’s Labor and Public Employees Committee in March, union leaders and activists urged lawmakers to act, linking unsafe conditions directly to ongoing workforce shortages.
“Unchecked hostility and violence is a huge factor for nurses leaving the workplace and experiencing moral injury,” said Vix Lyons, RN, president of our affiliated Meriden Federation of School-Based Registered Nurses. “When healthcare workers are being violated and feel unsafe, it impacts the whole system. Knowing that you are unprotected and vulnerable to attacks from your patients and their families is distressing and places undue stress on healthcare workers.”
A Growing Crisis in Healthcare and Education
Healthcare professionals – including nurses, physicians, social workers, registrars, and environmental services staff – experience workplace assaults at five times the rate of workers in other industries. Nearly every healthcare worker has encountered violent behavior in the course of their duties, ranging from being spit on and kicked to facing life-threatening attacks.
“I can speak from personal experience that violence against healthcare workers is rising in our state,” said Sara Bustamante, RN, a member of our L&M Federation of Registered Professional Nurses. “I was viciously assaulted by one of my patients while at work. I spent nearly a month at home recuperating and though I am now back at work, it is with new, unrelenting anxiety that I just can’t seem to shake.”
The newly signed measure extends identical protections to teachers, paraeducators, and school-related personnel in public K-12 schools, as well as faculty and staff at public colleges and universities. Nationally, the average rate of workplace assault for school teachers is double the average rate across all other occupations combined.
“Educators injured at work deserve full compensation and fair treatment, and they should not be subject to lost sick time or wages,” said Leslie Blatteau, president of our New Haven Federation of Teachers. “At a time when fewer college graduates are considering joining our profession and more of our colleagues are resigning or retiring early, these protections are essential to retaining dedicated educators.”
The Push for Safer Workplaces Continues
While this law represents a monumental step forward, union leaders emphasize that solving retention and workforce shortages requires improving day-to-day workplace conditions in the first place. Whether in a hospital emergency department, a school lunchroom, or a campus dormitory, unsafe staffing levels leave educators and caregivers acutely vulnerable to violence.
The workplace assault compensation provisions of the new law officially take effect on October 1, 2026. At that time, any covered individual who is physically or negligently assaulted while performing their duties will receive 100% of their average weekly earnings throughout their recovery period.
The post Securing Full Compensation for Injury Due to Workplace Assault first appeared on AFT Connecticut.
