Connecticut will pay out $13.8 million in longevity payments to 27,602 unionized state workers this week, up slightly from October’s payment, according to the Comptroller’s Office.
The average eligible employee received $500, a slight increase. The number of employees receiving a payment increased by about 200. In October, the payments totaled $13.6 million.
The state calculates the bonuses – paid in April and October – based on how long an employee has worked for the state.
The General Assembly made the non-union longevity bonuses part of regular salaries starting this year. Over time, this will cost the state more money as these employees earn percentage raises on their new, larger salaries. Gov. Dannel Malloy had already frozen their longevity payments.