Environmental protection professionals to testify at Wednesday, March 12 legislative hearing in support of bill that strengthens telecommuting options
HARTFORD—Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) professionals united in CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 have long called for the State to "lead by example" and allow more of its public service workforce to telecommute. Members of the union are appealing to lawmakers to pass legislation that would take cars off the road during peak commutes, lower pollution, and decrease demand on Connecticut's over-taxed transportation system.
CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 members will testify in support of a proposed bill that would strengthen and improve telecommuting and "flexiplace" options for State employees. The Government Administration and Elections Committee hearing will be held Wednesday in room 2A of the Legislative Office Building, located in Hartford at 300 Capitol Ave. The hearing begins at 10:30 am and is open to the public.
"The State has a telecommuting policy for its employees, but only a tiny fraction – less than half of one percent – are allowed to participate " Sandy Brunelli, a DEP environmental analyst, said of the need for new legislation. "Imagine if we could get a fifth of our State workforce off the road" she continued. "That's potentially 10,000 fewer vehicles on Connecticut's congested roads and highways every day."
Supporting "An Act Concerning Improved Telecommuting Programs for the State's Workforce" is consistent with CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 members' vision of leading for "quality and our communities." The union's members have worked with management at the DEP on the issue for the past two years, yet it has remained stuck in a Department of Administrative Services (DAS) bureaucratic bottleneck.
"Studies show that telecommuting raises employee productivity and job satisfaction" Brunelli added. "The Department of Transportation obviously thinks telecommuting is a good idea because it has a program to encourage Connecticut private industry to consider it for their employees, yet the vast majority of the State workforce is unable to take advantage of this option" she concluded.
The proposed bill creates a "pilot program” for telecommuting assignments at the DEP and two additional state agencies. It also directs the DAS Commissioner to work cooperatively with union members to develop and implement options that are beneficial to the environment, reduce traffic congestion, and raise employee productivity.
CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 represents 25,000 active and retired public sector workers across Connecticut. Visit www.seiu2001.org online for more information about its members' efforts to lead for quality and deliver reliable, accountable, and cost-effective public services to Connecticut taxpayers.