Labor, taking credit for helping Malloy win, seeks legislative gains on union representation

Organized labor in Connecticut is taking credit for helping Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy win a second term and is now looking for legislative victories in 2015.

The legislative agenda of the Connecticut AFL-CIO and several unions includes expanding union representation and broadening pension coverage.

Unions say activists knocked on the doors of 33,000 members for November's election and contacted 300,000 union households by phone to drive up voter turnout for organized labor's traditional allies, Democratic candidates.

The effort wasn't a total success: Republicans remain the minority in the House of Representatives but gained 10 House seats.

Meanwhile, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association has its priorities. Assistant counsel Eric Gjede (GEHD'-ee) says the group will push to change Connecticut's unemployment benefits to help businesses save money.