Union leaders responded to news reports that thousands of managers and top agency officials would receive upwards of $7 million in longevity bonuses in October. The State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) filed a grievance on behalf of the front-line members of its constituent unions for allowing the payments to go forward.

At issue is the understanding, under the recently ratified SEBAC 2011 agreement, that managers would make longevity sacrifices at least comparable to those made by the front-line workers. Longevity payments were frozen for two years — but preserved over the long-term — for members of the SEBAC unions. By paying the full October longevity bonus, some managers will never make equivalent sacrifices — particularly those who retire in the near future or those who already have 25 years of service.

SEBAC is filing the grievance to force the administration of Governor Dannel P. Malloy to live up to its commitment not to treat union-represented workers less favorably than managers, appointees, and officials.

Click here to read the SEBAC Longevity Grievance.