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

INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM

August 2, 2004

I. AUTHORITY

The contract award effective September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2007 between the State of Connecticut and the State Vocational Federation of Teachers bargaining unit.

II. COMPENSATION (Article 3)

A. General Wage Increases (Article 3.1)

The general wage increase will be made centrally at the proper time.

There will be no wage increase for the first contract year.

B. Annual Increments (Article 3.9)

 

1. There will be no step advancement during the 2003-2004 contract year.

 

2. Eligible full-time employees will receive an annual increment effective the following dates December 24, 2004, December 23, 2005 and September 1, 2006.

 

3. New employees or employees returning from leave of absence without pay must work not fewer than 93 school days in order to be eligible for the annual increment in the following school year.

 

C. Payments for Teachers at Maximum - Lump Sum Bonus (Article 3.9)

 

1. Effective January 7, 2005, a $450 lump sum payment will be made to teachers who are at the maximum step of the salary schedule.

 

2. Effective January 6, 2006, a $525 lump sum payment will be made to teachers who are at the maximum step of the salary schedule.

 

3. Effective January 5, 2007, a $525 lump sum payment will be made to teachers who are at the maximum step of the salary schedule.

 

4. The lump sum payments to teachers at maximum will sunset on August 31, 2007.

 

D. Longevity Schedule (Article 3.10)

 

Employees will continue to be eligible for longevity payments for the life of the contract. The longevity schedule remains unchanged.

 

E. Mileage Reimbursement (Article 3.8)

 

Mileage reimbursement will be in accordance with the standard State travel policy. Effective for any month which is at least 90 days following the legislative approval of this Agreement, the rate of reimbursement will be that provided for non-bargaining unit employees of the State Department of Education.

III. CAREER DEVELOPMENT (Article 5)

The Board will allocate funds for the tuition reimbursement program for courses and other programs approved in accordance with this Article, outside of regular working hours as follows:

Funds remaining from the annual allocation at the end of a given year will be carried forward and will not lapse.

 

1. Tuition will be reimbursed up to nine credits or 135 clock hours for skilled trade programs per fiscal year at the rate of one hundred percent (100%) for courses taken within the State's higher education system.

 

2. Tuition reimbursement is applied only to tuition and does not include fees of any kind, textbooks or other incidental expenses. Cost eligible for reimbursement in other types of professional development activities will be as determined by the Union President, subject to the approval of the Superintendent; reimbursement is applied only to the cost of the program, and does not include transportation, meals or lodging.

 

3. Tuition reimbursement will not exceed 100% of the per credit cost at the University of Connecticut.

 

4. Courses taken outside the State's higher education system are reimbursable at the actual cost.

 

5. Skilled Trade programs will be reimbursed at the rate of $7.00 per clock hour up to the maximum of 135 clock hours.

 

Requests to take reimbursable courses must be endorsed by the Superintendent or his/her designee prior to enrollment in the course. Requests received up to two weeks after enrollment may be considered subject to availability of funds. Requests received more than two weeks after enrollment may be considered for payment at the end of the fiscal year if funds are available.

IV. WORKING CONDITIONS (Article 6)

Night Shift Differential (Article 6.1)

 

Nurse Instructors who are required to teach on workdays commencing after 12:00 p.m. will be paid a night shift differential of $1.00 per hour. Effective with the 2004-2005 school year, the night shift differential will be $1.50 per hour.

V. STIPENDS

A. Production Job (Article 6.3)

 

Employees on outside production jobs who are required to have lunch at the production site more than 20 times per year will be paid a stipend of $250. See contract for additional information.

 

B. Athletic Coordinator, Coaches, and Advisors (Appendix B)

 

Coach and Advisor stipends will be increased 3% starting the 2004-2005 contract year and following for each remainder year.

 

C. Commercial Driver's License (Appendix B)

 

Any coach or athletic coordinator who maintains a Commercial Driver's License and transports students to/from athletic events in a vehicle requiring a CDL has a 10% bonus added to the stipend. An Instructor who receives more than one stipend will receive one bonus payment per school year based on the highest stipend received; 5% for the second highest stipend; and 3% for the lowest stipend, if applicable.

VI. PAYROLL PROCEDURES

A. Implementation of General Wage Increases

 

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. Payment of Lump Sum (Maximum Step)

 

Amount; Time Reporting Code XMISA or Earnings Code MIS.

 

These lump sum payments are subject to mandatory deductions; i.e., federal withholding and state income tax annualized, social security tax, retirement contributions, and garnishments (if applicable).

 

C. Shift Differential

 

Amount; Earnings Code SD1; Account 50180 or Hours; Shift 1; Account 50181.

*Note: The above coding for shift differential is an example. Agencies must use the appropriate earnings code or shift depending on when the hours were worked.

VII. GENERAL

Questions may be directed as follows:

 

Payroll Procedures: Office of the State Comptroller, Payroll Services Division, (860) 702-3463;

 

Contract Interpretation: Agency Personnel Officer;

 

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

NANCY WYMAN
STATE COMPTROLLER

NW:CG

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