When prices at the gas pump set new records in 2008, our members stepped up their efforts to strengthen a policy that enables them to cut back on fuel use while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion. After years of working to improve the telecommuting program for the state's workforce at the labor-management level, they reached out to lawmakers and the governor for a legislative solution. But as Governor Rell called on private industry to encourage more telecommuting, some of her shortsighted State agency heads opposed a bill in the 2008 legislative session that would expand and improve options for their workforce. That summer our Union launched a public relations campaign to move the governor to implement the bill's improvements with or without a new statute. Despite the governor's public pledge to make telecommuting for State workers a priority, few of her agency heads heeded her words. The legislation was reintroduced in 2009, and our members again urged lawmakers to seize the initiative and get Connecticut out of the "slow lane" and move forward on this "green" initiative. And although our members pointed to a UConn study on cost-savings in state agencies that highlighted the benefits of telecommuting, the bill did not survive a session dominated by the economic crisis. Our members remained committed to reducing fuel consumption and increasing their productivity as Connecticut slowly began to recover from the recession. In 2010, our efforts paid off and the General Assembly passed legislation expanding telecommuting options for State public service workers. A month later, Governor Rell signed it into law.
Blog entry with press coverage of our victory in expanding telecommuting for State workers Press release applauding the new law empowering more State workers to telecommute Stephen Anderson's letter to the editor of the New London Day on the UConn study 2009 testimony of Legislative Action Committee Co-Chair Lynn Coda-Klein
July 2008 response from Governor Rell on encouraging State agency heads to expand telecommuting Blog entry on alliance with GOP on issue and victory in pressuring Governor Rell to act WTIC-AM 1080's Mornings with Ray & Diane show interview with P-4 Council leader Sandy Brunelli Connecticut Post article on our efforts and the Administration's response
New Haven Register article announcing our call to the Governor April 2008 letter to Governor Rell urging support for the legislation Stephen Anderson's Op-Ed published in the Hartford Courant Blog entry on 2008 legislative hearings for bill 2008 testimony of P-4 Council Steward Sandy Brunelli Telecommute Connecticut
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