July 15 Paycheck Will Reflect Newly Adopted VSEA Dues Structure
|
|
|
Last year, VSEA reconstituted its Dues Study Committee and appointed Board member Dr. Leslie Matthews to chair the committee. After months of deliberation and debate, committee members came to Annual Meeting 2020 with a sliding-scale dues proposal, and Annual Meeting attendees voted to adopt it.
The new dues structure will start with employees' July 15, 2021. Dues will be based on 0.83% of an employee's pay, with a minimum of $16 and a maximum of $19.
Here again is Dr. Matthews' visual presentation to the 2020 Annual Meeting, explaining how the committee arrived at its now-adopted recommendation.
|
|
VSEA & Lawmakers Push Back Quickly On Proposal To Shutter Five DMV Offices
|
|
|
VTDigger reports this week on Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner Wanda Minoli's announcement that, post-pandemic, the department is considering not reopening, or only partially reopening, five branch offices. The five offices are in Dummerston, Middlebury, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury and White River Junction. All have been closed since the State declared a Covid-19 state of emergency in March 2020.
Sen. Randy Brock (R-Franklin) tells VTDigger "he thinks it would be unwise for the DMV to close its St. Albans location because residents in the northwest part of the state would need to travel farther to access in-person services."
Brock also questions the decision to reopen six other DMV branches in Bennington, Montpelier, Newport, Rutland, South Burlington and Springfield for in-person appointments.
“Hopefully they will do the evaluation, and their evaluation would conclude that there is both consumer demand and also a need to see that these services are dispersed throughout the state — rather than concentrated in these heavily populated areas,” Brock says, adding that poor to no internet access remains an issue in northwest Vermont.
Sen. Dick Mazza (D-Grand Isle). who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, Mazza reminds that the DMV could not move forward on any changes without notifying the Legislature.
Note: A VSEA Council member posted this story to the Council's Facebook page and the following comment was written: "I am not convinced that this a department that can do 'more with less.' I had an April 1 registration still outstanding May 17. An online recording said I'd have to wait 4 weeks. At that time appointments extended into June. No recourse except to email DMV customer service. DMV is riddled with complex forms and clients are always going to have questions, and these are best handled by experienced counter staff."
Needless to say, VSEA opposes the proposed closures and will actively lobby against them if introduced in the new legislative session.
|
|
NMU Members:
Last Call To Complete The 2021 Bargaining Survey!
|
|
This is a friendly reminder for NMU members who have not already done so to please complete the 2021 NMU Bargaining Survey by the close of business TODAY, Friday, June 25. Thank you!
2021 NMU Bargaining Survey
|
|
Thunder Road Details Coming!
|
|
Next week, VSEA will be contacting ticket recipients for the July 15 "VSEA Night at the Races" with more details about the night and the barbecue.
VSEA members on the waiting list for this event will also be contacted next week with more information about your status.
Add your name to the waitlist here.
|
|
VSEA Hosting "A Day In The Park" For Members & Families
|
|
On Saturday, July 10, VSEA is hosting a "Day In The Park" for members and their families to enjoy one of six Vermont state parks, including:
- Elmore State Park – Morrisville;
- Boulder Beach State Park – Lake Groton;
- Camp Plymouth State Park – Plymouth;
- Emerald Lake State Park – Dorset;
- Molly Stark State Park – Wilmington; and
- Sand Bar State Park - Milton
At each of the parks listed, VSEA Chapters will be providing members and their families with free park entry, plus free food and beverages. The park day is meant to be a small thank you to VSEA members for your hard work during this especially difficult past year.
Notes: To verify your state employee status, please be prepared to present your state ID badge when entering one of the six parks on July 10. Also, no pets are permitted, unless you require a service animal. Thanks.
For planning purposes, and to ensure individual park capacity limits are not exceeded, VSEA members interested in spending a day in a Vermont state park on your union are asked to please complete this short reservation form:
|
|
Does VSEA Have Your Correct Contact Information?
|
|
With potentially tough pension and contract fights ahead for state employees, VSEA continues to urge members and retirees to take a couple of minutes today to update your contact information with VSEA.
Update Your Contact Information Online!
|
|
GREAT NEWS! We’ve Been Working Hard To Make It Easier For VSEA Members To Sign Up For Benefits!
|
|
You can now enroll anytime just by making an appointment. The sign-up is done remotely using your computer and speaking to me over the phone. The application is taken, then sent to you to sign electronically via email.
Please have a general idea of the coverage you want to enroll in before we talk. I’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have.
Learn more: View/download this PDF brochure.
Appointments for enrollment are available using this link.
I will call you on the day and time you select.
Please be in front of a computer at the time of your appointment.
You must be an active VSEA member to receive this benefit. Not a VSEA member? Join Online Here!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
Joanne Woodcock
Vermont State Employee’s Association
Benefits Administrator
888-510-4467 (call me toll-free)
877-485-3374 (fax)
Joanne@vseainsurance.com
Find more VSEA Insurance Benefits on VSEA.org.
|
|
Lamoille Valley Chapter Meeting
Tuesday, June 29
12:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
More Information
|
|
White River Junction Chapter Meeting
Wednesday, June 30
12:30 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
More Information
|
|
NEK / St. Johnsbury Chapter Meeting
Thursday, July 1
12:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
More Information
|
|
Quote Of The Week!
“Whether we're going to have a whole new era of labor warfare is an open question. If you don't have orderly mechanisms to deal with worker organizing and to deal with collection action of workers, then you get disorderly mechanisms.”
UCLA Law Professor Katherine Stone, commenting to NPR about this week's 6-3, anti-union U.S. Supreme Court decision to invalidate a decades-old California rule inspired by César Chávez that allowed union organizers to meet with farmworkers at their place of work.
|
|
|
|
Non-VSEA specific stories that may be of interest to VSEA members.
|
|
Is VT OneCare Saving State Money? State Auditor Says "No"
|
|
|
Seven Days posted a story this week about State Auditor Doug Hoffer releasing a new report that found VT OneCare is costing state taxpayers more to administer than it is actually saving them.
From the post:
Vermont’s Auditor is again taking aim at the steep costs of the state’s all-payer health care system, raising thorny financial questions as policymakers ponder a new five-year contract with OneCare Vermont.
“Put simply, at this time the financial costs to run the model significantly exceed any Medicaid savings attributed to it,” Hoffer writes in a 41-page report released Monday.
[Hoffer] issued a report last year that stressed the need for the Green Mountain Care Board to be clear how it would evaluate the costs and saving of OneCare, but the board has yet to establish a methodology for doing so, he wrote.
“If now is too soon, then when exactly are Vermonters entitled to call the question on whether their money-saving investments are actually going to save them money? Next year? In five years? Ten? Twenty?” Hoffer writes.
Note: VSEA members will recall that the Scott Administration unilaterally decided in February that State Employee Health Plan members were going to now be attributed to the OneCare, beginning January 2021. At the time, VSEA called for public testimony on the All-Payer Model (the ACO), prior to the State entering into 2021 negotiations with CMS to extend the term of the APM agreement.
|
|
Teamsters Vote To Make Organizing Amazon A Priority
|
|
|
This week, delegates to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters' annual convention voted overwhelmingly to formalize a resolution to address Amazon’s exploitation of its employees, contractors and employees of contractors by committing all levels of the union to unite with core platforms of member engagement, worker and community engagement, antitrust enforcement and policy reform, and global solidarity. The resolution states that the union will fully fund and support what's being called "the Amazon Project" and supply all resources necessary. It also calls for ultimately creating a special Amazon Division to aid Amazon workers and defend and protect the standards in Teamster-represented industries from the existential threat that is Amazon.
“Amazon presents a massive threat to working-class communities and good jobs in the logistics industry,” explains Randy Korgan, Teamsters National Director for Amazon. “Amazon workers face dehumanizing, unsafe and low-pay jobs, with high turnover and no voice at work. The Teamsters have fought hard to create and protect worker standards in the warehouse and delivery industries for more than 100 years while helping build worker power before meaningful labor laws were in place. Amazon workers are calling for safer and better working conditions and with today’s resolution we are activating the full force of our union to support them.”
|
|
Statewide, Workers Begin Returning To Work - We Want Your Feedback!
|
|
In the time between now and Sept. 1, VSEA is interested in learning what directives, assurances, etc. are being given to returning employees in individual agencies or departments.
Please complete this online form to send us your feedback!
|
|
VSEA Is Now Accepting Petitions For Officer Positions
|
|
VSEA's Elections, Rules, and Nominating Committee emailed members recently with information about upcoming VSEA officer elections this year. The email also contained links to petitions for each of the positions up for election, which are:
- President
- First Vice President
- Second Vice President
- Treasurer
- Clerk
The deadline to submit your petition is Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
Learn more or download petitions here.
|
|
Seeking Volunteers For August Lara Sobel Ceremony
|
|
VSEA President Aimee Towne is seeking volunteers to help plan and staff an August ceremony to remember VSEA social worker Lara Sobel on the sixth anniversary of her tragic death. VSEA had hoped to hold a ceremony last year on the fifth anniversary, but COVID-19 prevented it.
Since Sobel's death, VSEA has been working hard in several arenas to push for enhanced safety and health laws to improve workers' on-the-job safety and health. VSEA's August ceremony will also feature a renewed call to lawmakers to pass H. 98; a bill that would establish a "Vermont State Building Security Board." VSEA is naming the legislation "Lara's Law."
If you would like to volunteer to help President Towne with the ceremony, please click here.
|
|
They’re Back… Well-Funded, Corporate Group Funding Mass Anti-Union Mailing
|
|
|
VSEA is aware that the Freedom Foundation–a well-funded, corporate, anti-union group from outside Vermont–is once again sending emails and letters to VSEA members to promote the group’s anti-union, anti-worker agenda. Each time this group tries to peddle its propaganda here in Vermont, VSEA reminds members that there are so many good reasons for VSEA members to ignore this group’s email and letter.
Here are some resources for members to revisit:
Don't forget to share this important information with your fellow union members and co-workers!
|
|
Download Your Contract On VSEA.org!
|
|
The current contracts for the Executive Branch Units, Defender General Unit, Housing Authority Unit, State’s Attorneys’ Office Unit, and Judiciary Unit are posted online to VSEA.org.
View/Download Your Contract
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you for reading Week In Action!
|
|
|
Told You're Being Investigated? Watch This Video!
|
|
|
Please take a few minutes on a break to watch the video, and know that the information being relayed could very well save your job someday. Remember, as a VSEA member, you are entitled to no-cost representation in investigatory meetings that may lead to discipline. Non-members, however, must now pay a rate of $250 to $350 per-hour for the same level of representation!
More: Know Your Union Rights
|
|
|
Getting Ready To Retire? Retired Already? Join The VSEA Retired Members’ Chapter!
|
|
|
|
Long-time VSEA activist and leader Terry Lefebvre is asking VSEA members getting ready to retire to join the VSEA Retirees’ Chapter to continue to be an active and engaged union member, even in retirement. Lefebvre also appeals to VSEA members to talk up the co-workers they know who might be preparing to retire. If you already belong to the Retired Members’ Chapter, a big thanks to you.
Learn More Here About The VSEA Retired Members’ Chapter
|
|
|
VSEA Advantage Discount Program
|
|
|
Did you know the average VSEA member can save hundreds of dollars a year by taking advantage of some of the Member-Only benefits offered through your union?
Learn more about the VSEA Advantage Discount Program
|
|
|
Need To Update Your Contact Information
With VSEA?
|
|
|
|
|
