labor lawAdivision of labor law center

The Connecticut minimum wage went up from $7.65 an hour to $8.00 an hour on January 1, 2009. That represents a hike of 35 cents per hour.

In Connecticut, the minimum wage is not linked to increases in the cost of living, as it is in some other states. Instead, it is voted as part of state law.

Some of the states where the minimum wage follows the inflation rate are Washington, Oregon, Vermont, and Florida.  By contrast, New Mexico, like Connecticut, increases its minimum wage rate by statute. In New Mexico, the state minimum wage increased from $6.50 to $7.50 an hour on January 1, 2009, a hike of $1 per hour – by far the highest of the new year.

As in many other states, administrative, executive, and professional employees are exempt under the Connecticut state overtime and minimum wage laws. The relevant law in this case is Section 31-60-14,15,16 of the Administrative Regulations.

There is also an exception under the Connecticut minimum wage for minors working in agriculture or government. They are entitled to a reduced minimum wage that amounts to $6.80 per hour. In other words, they are only entitled to 85% of the state’s minimum wage. Minors working (more…)

The Connecticut minimum wage will increase by 35 cents from $7.65 to $8.00 per hour on January 1, 2009.

The Connecticut minimum wage increase is statutory, meaning it was voted as part of state laws, rather than being a cost-of-living increase. A number of states, including Florida, Vermont, Washington and Oregon increase the minimum wage each year to adjust for inflation. Connecticut does not.

The state minimum wage is being increased by statute in New Mexico, as well as Connecticut. In New Mexico, the minimum wage will go from $6.50 to $7.50 per hour on January 1, 2009.

The Connecticut minimum wage will increase again, from $8.00 to $8.25 per hour, on January 1, 2010.

A little-known provision of Connecticut law permits (more…)

 Employers should be aware of a number of laws that were passed in the 2008 Connecticut legislative session.

The State General Assembly passed bills regarding the regulation of professional service organizations, and House Bill 5113, which addresses employee misclassification.

Two important laws passed in 2008 concern Jury Duty and Child Labor. Another law makes display of nooses a felony.

In May, the Connecticut House passed a bill that reinstates the law permitting 15 year olds to work in grocery stores as baggers, stockers and cashiers. Governor M. Jodi Rell is expected to sign the bill soon. The bill, which amends Connecticut Statute 21-23 will become immediately effective.

  (more…)

In a surprise move on May 27, Governor Rell vetoed a bill that would have increased the Connecticut minimum wage beginning in January 2009.

The unexpected veto to House Bill 5105 by Governor M. Jodi Rell kills a plan to raise the state minimum wage from the current level of $7.65 per hour to $8.00 in 2009 and $8.25 in 2010. A related act, Senate Bill 55, that would have increased the tip credit, was also vetoed.

The Connecticut minimum wage bill passed both the House and Senate with large majorities. The vote was 106 to 45 for the bill in the House. The Senate passed the proposed increase by more than a 2-to-1 margin, with 25 for the measure and only 11 votes against it.

It’s entirely possible that the Governor’s veto will be overturned by the legislature. In order to overturn the Governor’s veto, proponents of the bill would require 101 votes in the House and 24 votes in the Senate. If the General Assembly considers this measure in a special session, and there are no defectors, they will overrule the veto. (more…)

On April 23, the U.S. Department of Labor announced grants to train workers in Missouri and Connecticut totaling almost $2 million.

A $1.7 million employment grant was awarded to the state of Missouri to provide training assistance for workers who lost their jobs as a result of several recent mass layoffs. The mass layoffs included:

• Chrysler LLC in Fenton, Missouri
• Integram St. Louis Seating in Pacific, Missouri
• Yushin USA Ltd. in Kirksville, Missouri

“This $1.7 million grant will provide these Missourians with employment services to help in starting a new career in a growing industry,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

All workers impacted by these layoffs have been certified for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). TAA is a federal program that can provide additional benefits, beyond the normal unemployment insurance payments, to workers affected by mass layoffs or plant closures. Under TAA, workers can receive unemployment benefits for a year or more. In addition, TAA offers workers training in new skills to help them secure jobs in a different market sector, including tuition and benefits. In some cases, laid-off workers who earn less at their new job qualify for partial payments through TAA for up to 18 additional months, even while they are working.

The Missouri training grant is awarded to the Missouri Division of Workforce Development and will provide workers with services not covered under the TAA program. The grant will be used to provide a menu of services to workers, including assessment, career counseling and case management. Services and benefits already available to these workers under TAA may include training, job search allowances, relocation allowances and a health coverage tax credit, among others.

This grant benefits an area that has been hard-hit in recent months by various layoffs and plant closures. On Nov. 2, 2007, Chrysler LLC announced that it would be eliminating the second shift at its Fenton, Mo., plant, affecting approximately 1,078 workers.

This change triggered a domino-effect as Chrysler’s suppliers responded to changing market conditions.

On the heels of that announcement, Chrysler suppliers Integram St. Louis Seating announced that they would lay off 326 workers. Then Yushin USA Ltd. announced that they would be laying off about 100 workers.

Of the total announced, $958,608 will be released initially. Additional funding up to $1.7 million will be made available as the state demonstrates a continued need to serve workers affected by these layoffs.

On the same day, the U.S. Department of Labor announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to assist the state of Connecticut in developing regional talent development strategies. These plans will specifically focus on increasing the technical and engineering skills of Connecticut workers. The project covers the eastern Connecticut region, as well as Worcester County in Massachusetts and Washington County in Rhode Island.

“Eastern Connecticut is working across state boundaries to ensure area workers have opportunities to build the kinds of technical skills that are in demand,” said acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell. “The $250,000 this grant provides will help bring together business and education leaders to address skills shortages and establish plans for long-term talent development.”

The grant goes to the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board. It will be implemented by the newly formed Engineering and Technical Skills Task Force.

Members of the Skills Task Force will collaborate with area educational partners to analyze the region’s capacity to offer engineering and technical skills training programs and issue recommendations to address existing and emerging skills gaps.

Normally, when a grant such as this identifies employer needs and a plan to train workers, it is followed by a larger training grant, such as the one in Missouri.

The project also will support plans to increase the number of engineering degree programs, and strengthen connections between employers and potential workers through internship and apprenticeship programs.