New Connecticut PCA Labor Agreement Poses Challenges for Home Care Providers

​Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont last week announced that his administration submitted to the Connecticut General Assembly for its consideration and approval a new three-year agreement reached between the Connecticut Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Workforce Council and SEIU District 1199 New England.

The three-year agreement provides significant wage and benefit enhancements that will make it more difficult for home care agencies participating in the Connecticut medical assistance program to compete unless they are provided commensurate wage increases and benefits to offset increased costs, including minimum wage, to attract and retain employees. Additionally, it may have the unintended effect of hindering employment opportunities for workers, harming small businesses, and accelerating more costly long-term institutional care.

The agreement authorizes:
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• Wage increases of 26% over the life of the contract, from $18.25 per hour currently up to $23 per hour by Jan. 1, 2026.
• Rewards longevity with bonus payments of $400 or $800, depending on the annualized number of hours worked weekly.
• Provides two additional paid holidays (Juneteenth and Labor Day).
• Expands paid time off.
• Expands health care premium assistance.
• Supports career development through voluntary training options and tuition reimbursement.

Members of SEIU 1199 recently ratified the contract. The Appropriations Committee has scheduled a public hearing on the agreement for March 21, and the legislature will then consider and approve the agreement.