Pro-Worker Agenda Won at Legislature

Years of workers organizing at the state legislature delivered one of the strongest pro-worker bills in recent Connecticut history this session. House Bill 5003, a sweeping labor omnibus package, passed with strong bipartisan support, marking a significant step forward for workers’ rights, workplace safety, and fair pay.

Labor Committee chair Sen Julie Kushner said she had been workong on the bill for years. “It took more than six hours of floor debate, but we got it done.” she added.

“This legislative session delivered real, meaningful progress for working people across Connecticut,” said Ed Hawthorne, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. “From strengthening workplace protections to extending workers’ compensation benefits, many legislators stood up for the working people of this state.”

Summarizing the 75 sections of the bill, Sen Kushner said it “touches workers across nearly every sector of our economy. Teachers and health care workers who are assaulted on the job will now receive full wage replacement. General contractors will be jointly liable when their subcontractors cheat workers out of wages. Service workers have to be retained on the job when a new contracter comes in. Wage transparency gets stronger. And first responders will have access to tuition assistance and mortgage help so they can afford to live in the communities they serve. Should they lose their lives in service, their families will still have health coverage. “

The bill was signed into law at the offices of SEIU 32 BJ spotlighting service worker retention protections requiring incoming building service contractors to retain existing workers for 90 days. It also calls for a 15-day notice of a switch in employers.

“At 32BJ SEIU, we stand firmly behind the belief that every worker is deserving of just and dignified treatment. Worker Retention Laws protect workers from overnight job termination and unjust losses in their pay, insurance, and benefits.” said Connecticut leader Rochelle Palache.

“Despite the significant progress,” acknowleged Hawthorne, “we’re disappointed in the lack of higher education funding and the lack of truly meaningful worker protections in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” .