Labor and Public Employees Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6344
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF THE UNEMPLOYED WORKERS'
Title: ADVOCATE.
Vote Date: 3/25/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/18/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Labor and Public Employees Committee
REASONS FOR BILL:
The pandemic has increased the number of claims submitted to the Department of Labor.
Staff has been reduced and their computer systems are outdated.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None submitted
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
DINA BUTLER, McDONALD'S EMPLOYEE
Five years ago, Dina's wife, who also worked at McDonald's, fainted on the job, hit her head
and never recovered. McDonald's gave her nothing except the stone for her grave. After
joining Union 32 BJ in order to have a place to work toward getting better pay benefits and
treatment, the Department of Labor investigated and came to an agreement with McDonald's
owner, George Michell to get back pay because they were being paid less than the Standard
Wage. When COVID hit last March, managers laid off the entire night shift. When they began
rehiring in May, 4 people were not called back. New employees were hired instead. The case
has a lot of complicated evidence, but the injustice is clear and simple. Their jobs were taken
away because they demanded fair treatment. The pandemic was an excuse for them to avoid
the law. Companies like McDonald's should not be allowed to add to the suffering. This bill
simply makes sure companies treat their laid-off employees fairly.
ZAK LEAVY, LEGISLATIVE AND POLITICAL COORDINATOR, AFSCME Council
This office would assist and educate individuals throughout the process as well as
understanding their rights and responsibilities. It would make recommendations based on
changes to federal and state law which will help keep people up to date on any modifications.
Our unemployment system is complicated and individuals often are unaware of their rights.
This exacerbates an already difficult and challenging time in an individual's life. It would help
workers from being misclassified and ensure they receive the full benefits they deserve. It
will help give the public a voice when they need it most.
SAL LUCIANO, PRESIDENT, CT AFL-CIO
Workers who have never been unemployed before the COVID-19 pandemic may be
experiencing unemployment for the first time. It is always a frightening and stressful time for
any worker to be unemployed but is especially confusing and difficult during the pandemic.
Federal aid packages have created supplemental benefits and new programs to try to meet
the needs of unemployed workers. Overloaded staff at the Department of Labor struggle to
process claims and meet demands with a significantly reduced staff. It can be daunting and
overwhelming for workers to make sure they are receiving their entitled benefits. It seems an
appropriate time to create this position. The economic devastation created by the virus will
likely linger for years and unemployment could remain high for the foreseeable future. This
position would provide workers, especially non-union workers, with the support they need.
JASON ROJAS, HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER, STATE OF CONNECTICUT
The pandemic has led to an unprecedented number of workers turning to the unemployment
system and the Department of Labor for support. There is a staggering number of claims that
have been filed and each claim needs to be reviewed and each employee contacted. More
than $6.4 billion in unemployment benefits have been paid out over the past year. This
proposal is really intended to start a conversation on what we can do better to support the
claimants and the Dept. of Labor. Their computers are outdated and their staff has been
reduced and budgets held flat.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None submitted.
Reported by: Marie Knudsen, Assistant Clerk Date: April 4, 2021
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