CT Senate vote ends threat of group home worker strike

The state Senate has passed a bill that provides funding increases to nonprofit agencies and group homes for the disabled across the state, avoiding a planned strike.
On Thursday, group home workers across the state said they would strike on Monday if the bill wasn't passed.
The new bill provides a $14.75 minimum wage and a five percent raise for workers above that salary. It will cover 18,000 union and non-union workers who care for the disabled. 
Gov. Dannel Malloy responded to the 29-4 vote in the Senate, saying in part, “For far too long, the people who provide care to our most vulnerable neighbors have been underpaid for their critical work. The action taken by the Senate today will ensure they are compensated fairly while helping to avert a strike that would disrupt the lives of the individuals with intellectual disabilities and cost Connecticut taxpayers an estimated $1 million per day."
The wage increases go into effect in January.