1. United Labor Agency AFL-CIO and Labor Unions
The Connection

2. 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
Vocational Rehabilitation
Employment Services
Advocacy and Referral
FREE Trainings
Safety Net Services (including our own full service food pantry)

3. What is the AFL-CIO
CT AFL-CIO established the United Labor Agency in 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

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

5. A Brief History of Unions

6. Income
in Connecticut

7. ALICE Report from United Way
Assist Limited, Income Constrained, Employed
Comprehensive Study of Financial Hardship in the state of Connecticut

8. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. Household Budget

14. 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.

15. “CHARLIE GET A JOB”

16. -------- 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

17. Education and Training

18. Education Level and Annual Income
United Way ALICE Report – CT

19. Union and Non-Union Wage Comparison

20. Assessments
Interest Assessments
Personality Assessments

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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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