United Labor Agency AFL-CIO and Labor Unions The Connection

United Labor Agency Who are we? What do we do? ULA is the non-profit arm of the CT AFL-CIO We assist ALL workers, union and non-union alike Our primary goal is to assist union members and all workers in handling problems and difficulties arising off the job http://www.ctula.org/ Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Services Advocacy and Referral FREE Trainings Safety Net Services (including our own full service food pantry)

What is the AFL-CIO CT AFL-CIO established the United Labor Agency in 1978 to meet the human service needs of ALL workers and their families throughout CT American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization Formed in 1955 Largest federation of unions in the United States http://www.ctaflcio.org/

Labor Accomplishments Defined work schedules Minimum Wage Health Insurance Maternity Leave Safety Regulations

A Brief History of Unions

Income in Connecticut

ALICE Report from United Way Assist Limited, Income Constrained, Employed Comprehensive Study of Financial Hardship in the state of Connecticut http://alice.ctunitedway.org/

Income Inequality Despite being employed, 35% of households struggle to afford the 5 basic household necessities of housing, child care, food, transportation, and health care. The cost of basic household expenses in Connecticut is more than most jobs can support. The top 20% of the population receives 53% of all income in CT. If five CT residents divided $100 according to the current distribution of income, the first person would get $53, second would get $22, the third $14, the fourth $8 and the last $3.

Moving on Up There is a challenge of finding jobs that cover the basic cost of living. The majority of the top 20 job openings in Connecticut, as well as 51% of existing jobs, pay less than $20 per hour, which equates to an annual full time salary of less than $40,000. Only 18% of job openings have an annual salary of more than $40,000.

What’s needed to survive The annual Household Survival Budget for the average CT family of four is $64,689 (combined $32.34/hr) and for a single adult is $21,944 ($10.97/hr) The Household Survival Budget is a bare-minimum budget, not a “get- ahead” budget. Self-Sufficiency (“get-ahead” budget) in CT for a family of four, $111,632 and $30,118 for a single adult.

Household Survival Budget Single Family Average Income Fairfield 21,639 64,775 79,841 Hartford 21,327 64,805 63,536 Litchfield 21,034 65,459 67,658 Middlesex 22,005 65,297 74,484 New Haven 24,181 66,899 59,271 New London 23,369 64,784 66,603 Tolland 63,866 75,238 Windham 20,671 61,624 54,098

Household Budget

CT Job Market Over the period of 2010 to 2020 the forecast is for total employment to grow slowly. Health care and social services fields show the strongest gain in projected employment, followed by food service, administration/secretarial, and sales/retail. Most job openings, 58%, require less than a high school degree. There is an increase in part time and per diem jobs, and jobs that are flex schedules.

“CHARLIE GET A JOB”

-------- Employment ------- ----- 10 Year Change ----- -------- Median Wage ------- Estimated 2012 Projected 2022 Net Percent Hourly Annual 1,775,238 1,941,710 166,472 9.4 20.54 42,710

Education and Training

Education Level and Annual Income United Way ALICE Report – CT

Union and Non-Union Wage Comparison

Assessments Interest Assessments Personality Assessments

Alternatives to a Bachelors Degree Community Colleges – Associates Degree and or Certifications Union/Trades – Apprenticeships, limited enrollment Technical Training/Certificate Schools Online Schools/Certificates

Certifications Certifications are specialized trainings Many can be completed between a few months or a year Some can be completed online or by completing a exam Can qualify you for certain jobs or put you ahead of another applicant Some can lead to a degree Accredited programs

Paying for Education: Tuition Waivers/Programs WIA/WIOA (Workforce Investment Act/Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act) TAA (Trade Adjustment Assistance Program) Other Waivers: Children or Spouses of MIA/POW, Disabled or Deceased Veterans, Law Enforcement, or Firefighters; Wrongfully Convicted Persons; Senior Citizen, Certain Interest Groups Tuition Reimbursement FAFSA/Pell Grant

Grants, Loans and Scholarships Grants – You Don’t Have to Repay Loans – You Need to Repay, With Interest Loan Forgiveness Programs but must meet certain criteria Scholarships – You Don’t Have to Repay Usually given out by special interest groups, programs, schools Generally a small amount awarded

Common Obstacles: Finding the Balance Childcare Work Schedule It’s Expensive Don’t have time Can’t attend full time Transportation Fear Having to take refresher courses Age