AFT Connecticut

October 2019 "AFT in Action"

AFT Connecticut President Jan Hochadel is joined by our state federation's vice president for this second of three episodes addressing rising levels of workplace violence. John Brady, RN, brings his years of experience in the healthcare industry to a conversation focused on the risks in hospitals, medical clinics and social work settings.

Their guest is U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, who for years has led Congressional efforts to require employers report incidents of assault on health professionals to federal workplace regulators. He answers' members questions about the current lack of protections in place and proposed legislation that would establish enforcement standards for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

AFT Connecticut's podcasts serve to provide a deeper dive into issues impacting members and the wider labor movement as part of the state federation’s engagement and communications programs.

Members are invited to send e-mail with their feedback as well as any questions and suggested topics for future episodes. *

Additionally, members can leave a message with their comments to be played on future episodes by dialing (860) 257-9782 and asking for extension 116. *

Breaking news, event announcements, and urgent actions are also posted at the union's Twitter feed, Facebook page and website.

Music: "Mission Statement," Digital Juice.

* Be sure to include your full name, local union and employer.

September 2019 "AFT in Action"

In the first of three episodes addressing workplace violence, our state federation president teams up with the head of the Connecticut AFL-CIO to introduce the topic to union members. Together, Jan Hochadel and Sal Luciano help lay the groundwork for the future discussions, which will focus on efforts to prevent assaults on healthcare professionals and public school educators.

Their guest for this episode is Connecticut Council on Occupational Safety and Health (ConnectiCOSH) Co-Chair Steve Schrag, who has for decades advocated for better workplace and community conditions. He provides important history and offers valuable context, as well as insightful answers to members' questions about previous and ongoing efforts to ensure that "work doesn't hurt."

AFT Connecticut's podcasts serve to provide a deeper dive into issues impacting members and the wider labor movement as part of the state federation’s engagement and communications programs.

Members are invited to send e-mail with their feedback as well as any questions and suggested topics for future episodes. *

Additionally, members can leave a message with their comments to be played on future episodes by dialing (860) 257-9782 and asking for extension 116. *

Breaking news, event announcements, and urgent actions are also posted at the union's Twitter feed, Facebook page and website.

Music: "Mission Statement," Digital Juice.

* Be sure to include your full name, local union and employer.

August 2019 “AFT in Action”

State federation president Jan Hochadel is joined by Connecticut Coalition for Retirement Security Coordinator Alisha Blake for this second episode on the topic of union members' retirement security. They co-host a conversation focused on state employees' post-employment issues that follows a previous discussion on efforts to shore-up certified public school educators' pensions.

Their guest is State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, whose office plays a central role in administering benefits for active and retired employees in executive, judicial and legislative agencies and departments. He answers' members questions about union leaders’ efforts to stabilize pension funding, the work of the Health Care Cost Containment Committee (HCCC) and a recent landmark pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) contract.

AFT Connecticut's podcasts serve to provide a deeper dive into issues impacting members and the wider labor movement as part of the state federation’s engagement and communications programs.

Members are invited to send e-mail with their feedback as well as any questions and suggested topics for future episodes. *

Additionally, members can leave a message with their comments to be played on future episodes by dialing (860) 257-9782 and asking for extension 116. *

Breaking news, event announcements, and urgent actions are also posted at the union's Twitter feed, Facebook page and website.

Music: "Mission Statement," Digital Juice.

* Be sure to include your full name, local union and employer.

July 2019 "AFT in Action”

This first of two episodes devoted to the topic of retirement security is co-hosted by Jan Hochadel, state federation president, and Don Williams, the Connecticut Education Association's (CEA) executive director. In returning to the series' traditional format, they sit down with a single guest and narrow the focus of their conversation to recent efforts to stabilize pensions for certified educators.

Joining them is State Treasurer Shawn Wooden, whose responsibilities include serving as the principal fiduciary for the Teachers Retirement System (TRS). He answers members' questions on reforms developed by his office, both unions and the administration of Governor Ned Lamont that address the plan's unfunded liability and strengthen its benefits.

AFT Connecticut's podcasts serve to provide a deeper dive into issues impacting members and the wider labor movement as part of the state federation’s engagement and communications programs.

Members are invited to send e-mail with their feedback as well as any questions and suggested topics for future episodes. *

Additionally, members can leave a message with their comments to be played on future episodes by dialing (860) 257-9782 and asking for extension 116. *

Breaking news, event announcements, and urgent actions are also posted at the union’s Twitter feed, Facebook page and website.

Music: "Mission Statement," Digital Juice.

* Be sure to include your full name, local union and employer.