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Senate approves tentative contract for roughly 3,600–3,700 state maintenance and service workers
Summary
On March 26, 2026, the Connecticut Senate approved a resolution adopting a tentative collective-bargaining agreement with the Connecticut Employees Union Independent (CEUI) MP2 bargaining unit covering roughly 3,600–3,700 maintenance and service employees; the resolution passed on a roll call vote announced as 30–2 with four absent. The pact includes a 2.5% general wage increase and phased fiscal impacts across multiple years.
The Connecticut Senate on March 26 approved a resolution adopting a tentative agreement between the state and the Connecticut Employees Union Independent (CEUI) MP2 bargaining unit, which covers roughly 3,600–3,700 maintenance, transportation and service workers.
Senator Mary D. Austin moved acceptance of the committee's favorable report and urged passage, calling the pact a routine pattern collective-bargaining agreement for blue-collar staff who maintain roads, clean state buildings and perform other essential public services. "This is a contract for the CEUI MP2 bargaining unit," Austin said, describing the unit and asking colleagues to support the resolution.
Senator Summers, who reviewed the contract details on the floor, told colleagues the agreement runs from 2026 through 2027 with a wage reopener in the final year. "The agreement provides for a 2.5% general wage increase and an annual increment on top of the step payments," Summers said, and outlined position-specific changes to shift differentials, meal allowances and a small set of grade changes. Summers said fiscal impacts are concentrated early in the term: he summarized revenue estimates given in committee as about $12,000,000 in fiscal year 2026; $27,800,000 in fiscal year 2027; about $43,900,000 in 2028; and roughly $45,000,000 on an annualized basis thereafter.
Senator Summers and others noted that roughly half of the unit's payroll is charged to the special transportation fund and that many members are Department of Transportation employees who perform visible, manual tasks on highways and at rest areas. Senator Martin and Senator Harding each spoke in support, emphasizing the daily, in-person, physical nature of the work and urging recognition of those employees' contributions.
An immediate roll call was ordered. The clerk announced the tally as recorded on the floor: total number voting 32; 30 aye, 2 nay; 4 absent. The presiding officer announced that the legislation passed.
The resolution will be incorporated into the Senate journal and the official record. The agreement is tentative (a negotiated contract to be approved by the legislative body) and includes a wage reopener provision in the final year; the implementing appropriation and exact accounting of impacts will be reflected in forthcoming budget actions.
The Senate then proceeded to consider judicial nominations and other agenda items before adjourning.
