Results of 2008 General Assembly:

Minimum wage could increase; paid sick leave, workers' comp proposals die

(May 9, 2008) The General Assembly has approved another two hikes in Connecticut’s minimum wage, pending Gov. Rell's signature on the new law.

The hourly wage in Connecticut would rise on Jan. 1, 2009, from $7.65 to $8 — and to $8.25 as of Jan. 1, 2010.

It was not immediately clear if the governor would sign it into law, however. “While the governor understands the needs of minimum wage workers, she does not want to take any action that will negatively impact businesses and jobs in Connecticut, especially during this troubled economy,” said a spokesman for the governor.

The federal minimum wage rises to $6.55 on July 24, and increases to $7.25 on July 24, 2009. Connecticut’s current minimum wage of $7.65 is one of the highest in the U.S.

Other workplace proposals

In a close call for Connecticut’s employers, a proposal that would have mandated paid sick leave and dramatically increased employers’ costs failed only on the last day of the General Assembly. The paid sick leave proposal, SB 217, died, but was very close to approval. It had passed the state Senate and died in the House only when it did not come up for a vote before the session ended at midnight on Wednesday, May 7.

One of scores of Labor Committee proposals that boldly disregarded concerns about the economy and jobs, SB-217 would have increased workplace costs, made it harder for employers to meet the needs of their companies and employees, and sent a decidedly anti-business message.

Details: Employers of 50 or more employees would have had to provide paid sick leave to hourly and nonexempt employees at a rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked, to a maximum of 52 hours per year; unused hours could be carried over into the next year. Workers would not be eligible until after having been employed 120 days.

Workers' comp

Also failing to gain approval during the last week of the legislative session were SB-64 and SB-255, containing two Labor Committee proposals designed to drastically increase the amount of benefits available to injured workers. SB-64 expanded benefits for scarring, and SB-255 increased the additional, discretionary benefits that Connecticut’s workers’ comp commissioners may award.

Both measures failed because they carried significant fiscal notes and would have negatively affected the state and municipal budgets.

However, both also would have been very difficult for employers in Connecticut by significantly hiking their workers’ comp costs – which are already 9th highest in the United States.

For more information about labor issues, contact CBIA’s Kia Murrell at 860-244-1931 or kia.murrell@cbia.com.