As Connecticut lawmakers enter the 2025 legislative session, a series of attacks on state employees and their benefits have made headlines, underscoring the ongoing battle between working families and policymakers. Several recent articles have highlighted critiques and challenges aimed at public sector workers, including state employee raises, healthcare costs, and pension liabilities—issues that disproportionately affect union members and working-class families.

The Yankee Institute recently reported on growing concerns over the ethics of lawmakers involved in bills that could benefit their own financial interests, especially when it comes to union benefits. The article raises red flags about conflicts of interest, with one lawmaker potentially benefiting directly from a bill that would guarantee workers’ pay during strikes. This raises important questions about accountability and whether these policies truly serve the interests of all state workers or only a select few.

Meanwhile, the CT Examiner reported on the assertion by some that rising state employee wages—specifically a 33% increase under Governor Lamont—are putting a squeeze on the state’s budget, shifting the blame from structural fiscal issues to the compensation of public servants. Critics argue that these wage hikes, while aimed at improving pay for underappreciated state workers, are inflating the state’s payroll and creating future pension liabilities that could exceed $9 billion. These claims are being used as a basis to justify calls for wage freezes and cuts to state worker benefits, even as other sectors in the state continue to thrive.

At the same time, state employees are facing increased healthcare costs. The CT Insider reported on the state’s growing expense related to high-demand medications, such as Ozempic, which are part of the state employee health plan. While some may view the $60 million expense as excessive, it’s a reminder of the importance of comprehensive health benefits for workers, who rely on these plans to maintain their well-being. With healthcare costs rising nationwide, state employees should not bear the burden of these increases alone, especially when they are already struggling with stagnant wages and benefit cuts.

These attacks, along with ongoing struggles to protect state workers' rights, underscore the continued importance of union solidarity in Connecticut. The efforts to undermine state employee compensation and benefits are part of a broader agenda to shift the financial burden from the state to its workers, further exacerbating the challenges they already face. As the legislative session progresses, it will be critical for unions and lawmakers to work together to protect the hard-earned benefits of Connecticut’s public servants, ensuring they are not left behind in the face of rising costs and an evolving economic landscape.

The coming months will likely see increased pressure on both state employees and their representatives, with the outcome of these battles shaping the future of labor rights in Connecticut for years to come.