Local 749

Recent meeting with Local 749 and The Judicial Branch on AI update below:

Sisters and Brothers,

The union met with Judicial to discuss the new AI Teams, their capabilities and monitors’ concerns.
Monitors should not be worried about AI Teams because the speech-to-text notes will not become the transcript. The term “transcript” on the Teams is just that. It cannot be changed to another term,such as notes, because it’s in the Teams coding. Only Judicial staff will have access to the video, AI notes and recordings.

Phase I has rolled out statewide. Phase II is expected to be rolled out next week in Middletown only with the rest of the state to follow soon after.

Phase II will incorporate a revamped “Excel-based long note” system for virtual proceedings. This new program will tie the audio and log notes together allowing them to be accessible from home using your Judicial credentials. This remote access will expedite access to audio and notes while increasing productivity. According to management, the AI notes will not be put in the court files. They will remain for internal use only.

Management has assured us that speech-to-text notes will not take the place of actual transcripts. The monitors will still have to format and produce accurate transcripts. However, transcripts will be able to be produced in less time using the new log notes and accompanying extractor. Parties will still have to order certified transcripts from the CRMs.

TO BE CLEAR: the use of TEAM/AI no AFSCME Bargaining unit jobs will be lost or replaced. The new process should make transcript production quicker, The Notes in the teams meeting are only accessible by Judicial employees using their Judicial credentials.
THERE IS NO PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE NOTES.

The Union is still advocation on your behalf. Currently there are no concerns from the Union on the transition to teams AI notes. If something changes, the union will meet with management to discuss and clarify.
If you have further questions about this new program, please direct them to your Official Court Reporters.

In Solidarity,

Sotonye Otunba-Payne Court recording monitor and
Local 749 recording secretary

Lisa Franchina Court recording monitor

Ron Nelson President Local 749

Please join us tomorrow at the Steve Curran Veterans’ Memorial Day Appreciation Outing, from 11 am to 3 pm at Veterans Memorial Park in Middletown.

Saturday, May 23rd
11:00 am-3:00 pm

Connecticut Trees of Honor
Veterans Memorial Park
Middletown, CT

The event will take place rain or shine!

https://council4.org/calendar/steve-curran-veterans-memorial-day-appreciation-outing-2

Congrats to our 2026 Local 749 Scholarship recipients!

President Ron and Mrs Nelson and VP Ana Lindley. HAPPY 45th ANNIVERSARY LOCAL 749!!

Please watch and contact your local politicians to get this approved!

Watch the live Appropriations Committee hearing on state contracts. Hear what your elected officials have to say about pay, pension, and healthcare!

Tune in at 9:30 AM: https://www.youtube.com/-appropriationscommitte4722/streams

This year marks a special milestone for AFSCME Local 749. For the past 45 years, the Local has been committed in developing a strong active union in the workplace and making a difference in our members’ lives. Without the support of our members, this journey would not be possible.

In honor of the Local’s 45th year anniversary, we would like to cordially invite you to celebrate with fellow members as we honor our past, celebrate our present, and look forward to building our future.



When: April 25, 2026

Time: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Where: at Terrace on The Green 37 Harrison Rd, Wallingford, CT. (Dinner will be served, and a cash bar will be available, in addition to raffle prizes.)



Please RSVP by reserving your spot. There is a fully refundable reservation fee for our members only, to ensure proper planning and space availability for all who would like to join in the festivities. The reservation fee is $10.00. Members are welcome to bring a plus one to this celebration by purchasing an additional ticket for your guest. The amount to reserve your guest’s ticket is $35.00. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis as our venue accommodates 150, so reserving a seat early is essential.

For reservations, the Local has set up a Zelle account, which you can use to transmit the registration fee and to purchase a guest ticket if you’d like. When Using Zelle, the Local’s payee name is: [email protected]. All funds for reservation fees and tickets must be received no later than April 17th to ensure your reservation.



While Zelle is the preferred method of payment, members may also mail a check to the union hall, at 290 Pratt Street, Meriden CT 06450 – Attn: Efrem Golden, Treasurer. Checks may be payable to AFSCME Local 749. Any other questions may be sent to [email protected].

We hope you can join us,

In solidarity,

Saturday morning spent learning and sharping our steward skills!