VSEA Secures Paid Leave Time For Employees Displaced By Coronavirus 

For the second time in as many weeks, VSEA leaders and staff met with Administration representatives on March 16 to be updated on the status of the coronavirus threat, what is being done to protect front-line employees and the public and what moves the State is planning to combat it. One major development to come out of Monday's meeting was an agreement by the State to grant paid leave to state employees who are "unable to work for reasons arising from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic."

From a March 17 Department of Human Resources memo about the agreement reached between VSEA Bargaining Teams and the State: 

While any employee who is able work will be expected to do so, employees unable to work due to self-isolation, COVID-19 related illness and the closure of schools/daycares will continue to be paid. The new COVID-19 paid leave created by this tentative agreement will be available for employees’ use beginning Wednesday, March 18 through the close of business on April 5, 2020. This will alleviate concerns for those employees who don’t have sufficient leave time, and provide a bridge to get us through the next few weeks while we get a fuller picture of any upcoming congressional action, work through unemployment insurance issues, and understand how we can provide impacted Vermonters a safety net.VSEA members and retirees who want to hear more about VSEA's Monday meeting with the State are invited to watch a short video that features VSEA First VP Aimee Towne, talking about what went down. 

Watch Video 1: VSEA & State's Agreement Explained

VP Towne also recorded a short video that posted to VSEA's Facebook page this morning. In it, she answers some of the contract and work-related questions VSEA members have been asking about the coronavirus threat. 

Watch Video 2: Your Coronavirus Questions

VSEA Sends Letter To Governor 

VSEA members should also take a few minutes to read a letter VSEA President Dave Bellini sent to the Governor last Saturday afternoon. In it, Bellini spells out the actions VSEA wants the State to take right now to protect frontline employees and the public from coronavirus. You can also read the State's response to Bellini's letter, which, unfortunately, is light on details.  

VSEA Posts Coronavirus Webpage   

VSEA is trying its best to keep up with all the moving pieces of the coronavirus threat, and we want to keep you informed. A webpage has been created to post all the latest updates your union can provide. A link to this page can also be found on the VSEA.org homepage.

This page will be updated probably daily for a while, unfortunately, so check it regularly, as well as VSEA's social media sites.

If you have a specific question(s), related to the outbreak, please contact your VSEA Union Representative or send an email to vsea@vsea.org.

Additional Resource: Vermont Department of Health's Coronavirus Webpage 

State Offers Child Care To "Essential Employees"

The State announced yesterday that "essential employees" who need child care to fight the coronavirus outbreak can now call these numbers for assistance:

Call 211 ext. 6, or 1-877-705-9008

The State's list of who is "essential" is being updated frequently as this situation evolves. 

Click To View Latest List Of "Essential Employees" 

Keep The Updates Coming!

Since WIA first requested members to email what you're receiving and hearing about your department or agency's response to the coronavirus, dozens of responses have been emailed, and the input has been (and will continue to be) very, very helpful. Keep them coming. 

Members are asked to send an email to vsea@vsea.org and write "Corona Response" in the subject line,
 
Posters!

The Vermont Department of Health, in coordination with federal agencies, recently published a set of posters that VSEA is recommending members print out to hang on your VSEA worksite bulletin board. 

Download Posters To Post In
Your Worksite:

Revamped VSEA Website Goes Live Next Week!

Note: Well, there were unanticipated hiccups this week that delayed the activation of VSEA's overhauled website. Apologies. Re-running last week's post, as it still makes sense.   

VSEA's Communications Department is pleased to report that some long-overdue maintenance on your union's website is finally nearing completion. The site is expected to live early next week, pending any last-minute hiccups.  

"Members, retirees and visitors to the revamped site will notice it has a slightly different look and that the site's functionality is improved, especially on mobile devices," says VSEA Communications Specialist Kris Lizzari. "There will still be some fine-tuning to do, but we're happy with how the new site turned out." He adds that members will be able to register for new accounts when the site goes live next week. 

Members and retirees experiencing issues with the VSEA website, once it is live,  should contact the VSEA Communications Department. Please also share any corrections to posted information you may discover.  

Reminder!
March 31 Is The Deadline To Submit VSEA Bylaw Changes

CANCELLED! Waterbury Chapter Meeting

National Media Reports On Coronavirus Spread & Workers

• CNN: Here's What You Can Expect To Get From The Government Coronavirus Relief;
   
• Portland Press Herald: Coronavirus Restrictions Put Crimp On Public Services;
   
• Albany Times Union: Anxiety High As Some State Employees Must Still Come To The Office;
   
• EPI - Not Everyone Can Work From Home;
   
• Washington Post: New Sick-Leave Law Does Not Help Workers Who Need It Most;
   
• NY Times: Plight Of The Retail Worker: "I'm Scared To Go To Work";
   
• nwLaborPress: The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Turning Life Upside Down For Working People; and
   
• Albany Times Union: Cuomo Asks Health-Care Retirees To Be Reserve Force;

NY Public Employees Sign Temporary, Emergency Agreement With Cuomo Administration, Governing Telecommuting

The NY Public Employees Federation (PEF) put out a short statement this week after it leaders signed a temporary, emergency agreement with the Cuomo administration, governing telecommuting for employees during the coronavirus crisis.

From the statement:

After days of cautious negotiations, we have come to terms on a temporary, emergency agreement with the State for telecommuting during this time of crisis. This program is an attempt to strike a balance between ensuring New York State can continue to function, while providing appropriate precautions for PEF members to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This agreement shows how much we can accomplish quickly when we work together, and want to thank Governor Cuomo and his team for the leadership displayed in working with us to protect our members and all New Yorkers.

First and foremost, this is an emergency, temporary agreement for up to 60 days. The program can be extended upon agreement by both the State and PEF.

This is an alternate work arrangement that allows some of our membership to conduct all or some of their work at home. State operations must continue but telecommuting will be approved to the greatest extent possible. This will relieve some of the stressful situations of those that must use mass transit, enter areas of population density and/or deal with the issues of closing schools or daycare. It will also allow for social distancing.

Telecommuting under this agreement may be up to five days per week, whereas under our current contract, it is limited to four days per pay period.

Please note that although we requested that all members be allowed to telecommute, each agency has the full discretion to deploy their workforce and each application must be approved by supervisors and human resources.

We made sure to include protections for our members by negotiating built-in appeal processes for both mandatory and voluntary portions of the temporary agreement. We asked for and received a training, which occurs prior to the actual telecommuting. This is another step that protects our members.

Telecommuters/members using personal devices will receive instruction on how to obtain VDI, VPN and/or an RSA token. These must be tested before telecommuting can begin. This is an agreement that not only protects our members but allows those members to continue to provide services during this emergency.

Finally, this program will take effect immediately for a period of sixty days upon signature of the State and PEF. It can be extended upon agreement by both parties. This Pilot Program can be cancelled by the State in its sole discretion with one-week advance written notice to PEF.

Vermont Ranks 9th In Nation In Terms Of How Aggressively State Is Responding To Coronavirus 

• 1. Rhode Island
• 2. Connecticut 
• 3. Maryland
• 4. New York
• 5. Washington
• 6. Massachusetts
• 7. New Jersey
• 8. Minnesota 
• 9. Vermont
• 10. District of Columbia