STATE OF CONNECTICUT
NANCY WYMAN COMPTROLLER	OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER 55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775	MARK OJAKIAN DEPUTY COMPTROLLER

INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM

June 15, 2004

The Honorable Theresa C. Lantz, Commissioner
Department of Correction
24 Wolcott Hill Road
Wethersfield, CT 06109

I. AUTHORITY

The Agreement ratified on May 3, 2004 between the State of Connecticut and the Corrections (NP-4) bargaining unit for the period July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2008.

II. COMPENSATION (Article 17)

A. General Wage Increases (Article 17.1a)

 

General wage increases will be effective as follows:

The salary schedule in effect during 2003-2004 will remain in effect during 2004-2005.

 

B. Trainee Rate (Article 17.1b)

 

The hiring rate for Correction Officer Trainees, (Cadets) shall be ten (10%) percent below Step 1 of the salary grade for Correction Officer. In the first full pay period following completion of the tenth week of the initial probationary period such Trainee's salary will be adjusted to Step 1 of the salary grade for Correction Officer.

 

C. Annual Increments (Article 17.2)

 

Annual increments and lump sum payments for employees at maximum will not be paid for 2004-2005. Annual increments and $500 lump sum payments for employees at maximum for 2005-2006 will be delayed six months. Annual increments and $500 lump sum payments for employees at maximum for 2006-2007 will be delayed three months. Annual increments and $500 lump sum payments for employees at maximum for 2007-2008 will be on time.

 

D. Longevity (Article 17.4)

 

The longevity schedule based on the pay plan effective on June 30, 1977 will remain unchanged in dollar amounts during the life of the contract.

 

E. Mileage Reimbursement (Article 17.5)

 

Mileage reimbursement is at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) rate, currently 37.5 cents per mile. Mileage reimbursement rate to be adjusted within thirty (30) days of any change in the GSA rate.

 

F. Night Shift Differential (Article 17.6)

 

All employees who are in this bargaining unit and who are eligible to receive shift differential in accordance with current practice and whose assigned work shift begins any time after 2:00 P.M. and before 6:00 A.M. shall receive a night shift differential of seventy-five (75) cents per hour. Shift differential will only be paid when an employee is actually working.

 

Effective June 24, 2005, the night shift differential will be increased to eighty (80) cents per hour.

 

G. Weekend Differential (Article 17.7)

 

A weekend is defined as beginning with the start of the third shift on Friday and terminating with the end of the second shift on Sunday inclusive. The weekend differential shall be paid for working a minimum of six (6) hours on a shift. The weekend differential will only be paid when an employee is actually working. The rate will be fifty (50) cents per hour.

 

Effective June 24, 2005, the weekend differential will be increased to fifty-five (55) cents per hour.

 

H. Facility Meal Reimbursements (Article 17.9)

 

Employees who are transporting inmates or parolees outside of the institution shall receive the same reimbursement as if they were working inside the institution.

 

As new correctional facilities open during the term of this agreement, the employees at such facilities will also receive the same meal reimbursement as is in effect at current facilities.

 

I. Working Conditions Stipend (Article 17.10)

 

All members will receive a stipend for working conditions of $800 yearly payable in the first paycheck dated in December of each contract year.

III. STRESS MANAGEMENT (Article 29)

The State shall establish a fund of one hundred thousand ($100,000) dollars to be expended on stress management programs and/or procedures. Funds not expended during the life of this Agreement shall rollover.

IV. TUITION REIMBURSEMENT (Article 33.2 - 33.4a)

Funds committed for reimbursement in one fiscal year shall carry over into the next fiscal year in order to allow payment of tuition reimbursement claims for prior year courses.

 

For credit courses at accredited institutions of higher education, one hundred (100%) percent of the cost of tuition, laboratory fees and community college service fees up to a maximum of $100 per credit for undergraduate courses and $120 per credit for graduate courses.

 

For other courses or programs, there will be fifty (50%) percent tuition reimbursement to a maximum of $50 per credit for undergraduate courses and $60 per credit for graduate courses.

 

For external degree programs, the enrollment fee and the examination fee for up to six examinations per year shall be covered by tuition reimbursement.

V. SCHEDULED PAYMENT DATES

A. General Wage Increase

 

No general wage increase for contract year 2004-2005.

B. Annual Increments and Lump Sum Payments

 

No annual increments and lump sum payments for employees at maximum for contract year 2004-2005.

C. Working Condition Stipends

 

The working condition stipends will be paid as follows:

VI. PAYROLL PROCEDURES

A. Implementation of General Wage Increase

 

New pay plans will be implemented centrally with the new hourly rate and bi-weekly salary effective with the pay period, at the proper time.

 

B. Annual Increments and Lump Sum Payments

 

Annual increments will be entered centrally at the proper time.

 

C. Shift Differential

 

Amount or Hours; Earnings Code SD1 or Shift 1; Account 50180 or

Amount or Hours; Earnings Code SD2 (Time and a Half) or Shift 2; Account 50180 or

Amount; Earnings Code SD3 or Shift 3; Account 50180.

 

D. Working Condition Stipend

 

Amount; Earnings Code MIS

 

E. Meal Allowances

 

Amount; Earnings Code MLA

VII. TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

All pre-approved tuition reimbursement requests should be forwarded to the Comptroller's Fiscal Policy Division - Tuition Unit for processing. All non-reportable tuition reimbursements must be submitted on an approved Application for Tuition Reimbursement, PERT-1 Form. All reportable tuition reimbursements must be submitted on the CO-17XP-PR, Employee Payroll Reimbursement Form and a PERT-1 Form must also be completed and attached. Please see Memorandum No. 2003-27 dated June 27, 2003 and Memorandum No. 2003-47 dated October 15, 2003 for additional procedures.

 

Please note: Reimbursements cannot be made until the release of funding by the Office of Policy and Management. In the past, this funding was not made available to coincide with the implementation date of the contract provision. Please expect delays in reimbursements at the beginning of contract years.

VIII. GENERAL

Questions may be directed as follows:

 

Payroll Procedures: Office of the State Comptroller, Payroll Services Division,

(860) 702-3463;

 

Contract Issues: Agency Personnel Officers

 

Tuition Reimbursement: Office of the State Comptroller, Fiscal Policy Division,

(860) 702-3444;

 

Memorandum Interpretation: Office of the State Comptroller, Fiscal Policy Division, (860) 702-3440.

NANCY WYMAN
STATE COMPTROLLER

NW:CH

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