First responders and other state employees involved in the direct response to the Sandy Hook school shooting a year ago will receive 40 hours of compensatory time under a deal reached between state labor officials and six employee unions.
The benefit, given in addition to pay, is meant to compensate the responders and employees for emotional trauma and other difficulties stemming from their experience, Gov. Dannel Malloy’s office said in a statement Wednesday.
“The benefit is intended to recognize the extraordinary nature of the tragedy and that many of these individuals took sick and vacation time to deal with personal matters related to the incident,” the statement said.
The benefit will be provided to members of the Connecticut State Police Union; the Connecticut Police and Fire Union; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; the Administration and Residual Union; and the District 1199 health care employees union.
Similarly impacted, non-represented employees will also receive the comp time.
Besides police and firefighters, state agencies with qualifying employees include the Department of Safety and Public Protection, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of Children and Families and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, according to the agreement (link below).
Malloy’s announcement did not disclose how many workers would be receiving the five paid days off. State agencies have until Dec. 31 to identify which employees are eligible.
Glenn Terlecki, president of the police and fire union, said in the statement that responders will never forget what they witnessed inside the elementary school on Dec. 14, 2012, when 20-year old Adam Lanza shot and killed 20 children and six staff members.
“Unlike many other occupations, when an event occurs that denies police officers the ability to carry out their oaths [to protect], an insufferable sense of personal loss occurs,” Terlecki said.
Joseph Pietchta, president of the administrative union, said his members are thankful for the agreement.
“It’s a very trying matter and hopefully this will help them in their efforts at coming to peace with the situation,” he said.
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