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

State Comptroller Nancy Wyman today announced that she will continue health insurance coverage for a portion of the recently laid-off state workers, as outlined in their contract.

"Many of these workers would otherwise lose their health insurance later this month," Wyman said. "I am aware that the administration disagrees, but the contract specifies that most of them are eligible for six months of health coverage after they are laid off."

Wyman said she took action after receiving a formal opinion from the Attorney General that the administration cannot arbitrarily take away contractual benefits. Wyman requested the opinion one week ago.

Wyman said it has been the state's established practice to extend six months of health coverage to laid-off workers.

Wyman noted that while the administration and the workers are currently negotiating specifics of the health-coverage extension matter, state labor laws clearly state that severance benefits remain in full force until negotiated otherwise.

"This is a binding contract that can only be changed by the mutual agreement of the administration and the workers," Wyman said. "Until that time, these workers deserve the health coverage that is provided by their contract."

Wyman said that less than half of the approximately 2,800 workers recently laid off should be eligible for the six months of coverage. She also noted that the Governor has committed to rehire many of the workers to replace those who take early retirement under a program enacted last week.

The State Comptroller appreciates input on this and other issues from residents of the state. Please feel free to contact her office by phone - (860) 702-3300; mail - OSC, 55 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106; or, via E-mail - osc.opinions@po.state.ct.us

Learn more about the Connecticut Comptroller's Office by calling up our Internet Home Page, at the link below.

Back to Comptroller's Home Page
Back to Index of Comptroller's Press Releases