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Weekly News From VSEA!
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Week In Action Newsletter
July 30, 2021
VSEA President Aimee Towne sent an email this week that read: 

Six years ago, VSEA members gathered together in Barre to mourn the tragic death of our union sister, Lara Sobel. Now, six years later, we would like to gather again to remember Lara on the date of her passing, August 7. 

Please join your fellow VSEA members at Groton Lake (one of Lara and her family's favorite spots) this Saturday, August 7, 2021, at noon. We've reserved space at Boulder Beach State Park (2278 Boulder Beach Rd Groton, VT 05046


VSEA is requesting that you RSVP online here.

I hope you can join us to honor Lara's memory.

View Photos From 2015 Barre Vigil For Lara

Week In Action Not Publishing Next Week!

WIA will not be publishing next week. Please check the VSEA website and Facebook page, Instagram, or Twitter for updates until the next edition posts. Thank you!

First Tri-Union Pension Task Force Meeting Update Is Monday! 

Beginning Monday, VSEA is partnering with the Vermont NEA and Vermont Trooper's Association to host the first in a series of upcoming webinars to update members and retirees about any and all developments with the newly formed Pension Task Force.

Continue Reading...

Monday, August 2 Is The Deadline For Eligible Members To Cast Your Ballot In District Board Of Trustee Elections

Learn More on VSEA.org

Register Today To Attend VSEA's 77th Annual Meeting, In Person Or Virtually

VSEA is pleased to invite all VSEA members and retirees to participate in your union's 77th Annual Meeting!

This is VSEA's most important meeting of the year because it's where an operating budget for the new fiscal year is adopted, proposed changes to bylaws governing union business are debated and voted up or down, and members from across state government, as well as retirees, meet as one body to discuss current union-wide fights, educate each other about our worksite-specific or Unit issues and determine next steps, if any. This year's focus will be new rounds of collective bargaining across all units, as well as VSEA's fight to protect pensions. 

This year’s Annual Meeting is a hybrid. An in-person meeting is being held at Jay Peak on Saturday, September 11, 2021, and there is a Zoom option as well. VSEA members and retirees have the option to join the meeting online or in person at Jay Peak.
 
September VSEA Council Meeting
Friday, September 10, 2021
 
VSEA 77th Annual Meeting
Saturday, September 11, 2021
 
Register For Either Meeting Here!

State Announces Premium Holidays

The Department of Human Resources emailed the following to VSEA members this week:

To All Employees Participating in the State Employees Health Insurance Plan,

Due to a surplus in the plan, there will be no medical insurance premium taken from your paycheck for the pay dates of August 12, 2021 and August 26,2021.  Premium deductions will resume with the September 9, 2021 pay date.

If you have any questions, please contact the Benefits team at DHR.Benefits@vermont.gov.

DCF Family Services Division Members Urged To Complete Survey To Help Guide L / M Discussions

VSEA members who sit on the DCF's Family Services Division Labor / Management Committee are asking for their colleagues help to ensure non-bargainable problems and issues are being addressed and, if needed, corrected, in a timely manner. 

Continue Reading...

VSEA Sends Condolences To Family, Friends & Colleagues Of Robert Babcock Jr.

VSEA sent condolences this week to the family, friends, and colleagues of Robert Babcock, who was VSEA's second Executive Director, starting in the mid-70s. Babcock was hired by past VSEA President Terry Macaig.

Continue Reading...
Next Week's Union Meetings and Events:
VSEA Pension Task Force Update Webinar w/ VTA & NEA
Monday, August 2
6:00 p.m. 
Zoom
More Information
Board Of Trustees' Meeting
Tuesday, August 3
8:30 a.m. 
Zoom
More Information
Barre Chapter Annual Meeting 
Wednesday, August 4
5:00 p.m.
Zoom
More Information
Employee Appreciation Day Event
Wednesday, August 4
10:00 a.m.
Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility
South Burlington 
More Information
Employee Appreciation Day Event
Wednesday, August 4
2:00 p.m.
Burlington P&P
Burlington 
More Information
Diversity Committee Meeting
Wednesday, August 4
5:00 p.m. 
Zoom
More Information
Employee Appreciation Day Event
Thursday, August 5
10:00 a.m.
Northwest State Correctional Facility
St. Albans
More Information
Lara Sobel Remembrance 
Saturday, August 7
12:00 p.m.
Boulder Beach State Park
Groton
RSVP Here
View all upcoming VSEA events on VSEA.org

Quote Of The Week!


“This is a change in the terms and working conditions of our represented employees and requires meeting and conferring with the union prior to implementing the change."


From a letter sent this week to California Gov. Newsom by the state employees' union, in response to all-employee vaccine mandate implemented this week by the State. 

Solidarity Stories:
Non-VSEA specific stories that may be of interest to VSEA members.

More States Begin Issuing COVID Mask & Vaccination Mandates For State Employees

Last week's announcement by New York's Governor Cuomo that he was instituting a mask mandate for all state employees seems to have opened the floodgates, with several other states joining New York this week. Here is some of the press about new additional mandates from around the country:

It's Okay To Eat Fritos Again. Workers' 20-Day Strike Ends With New Contract

From a KCUR story this week:

The company made concessions, but the workers found themselves in a much stronger position than any in recent history to get the workplace and the wages they were bargaining for.

Continue Reading...

SD Governor Goes To Prison To Hear From Employees About Issues With Current Management

Amidst a shake-up of South Dakota's top Corrections officials, Governor Kristi Noem recently visited with frontline workers at the South Dakota State Penitentiary to address low morale and other issues.

Continue Reading...

Map Shows How Well State Pensions Are Funded, By State

View Larger Image...
Important Reminders:

Protect Our Pensions Updates

Pension Benefits, Design, and Funding Task Force July 22 Meeting Overview

Please Sign These Petitions To Get AC Installed At Southern State And Northern State

Vermont's recent heatwave prompted Corrections Officer Shawanda Hill to renew her push for management to install air conditioning facility-wide at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield.   

To date, Southern State management has not responded to Hill's requests. She has reached out to VSEA for help move the petition up the command chain once it's ready to go.   

VSEA members and retirees are invited to sign Ms. Hill's petition online! 
Members working at the Northern State Correctional Facility have also organized a petition. You can sign online: We Call On Department Of Corrections Management To Install Air Conditioning At The Northern State Correctional Facility

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!

AOT Stewards Needed! Become A Worksite Steward Today!

Learn More On VSEA.org

What Is A Worksite Steward?

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
This Week:
Remembrance Of Our Union Sister, Lara Sobel

First Tri-Union Pension Task Force Meeting Update Is Monday!

Monday, August 2 Is The Deadline For Eligible Members To Cast Your Ballot In District Board Of Trustee Elections

Register Today To Attend VSEA's 77th Annual Meeting, In Person Or Virtually

State Announces Premium Holidays

DCF Family Services Division Members Urged To Complete Survey To Help Guide L / M Discussions

VSEA Sends Condolences To Family, Friends & Colleagues Of Robert Babcock Jr.

Next Week's Union Meetings And Events

Quote Of The Week!
Solidarity Stories:
More States Begin Issuing COVID Mask & Vaccination Mandates For State Employees

It's Okay To Eat Fritos Again. Workers' 20-Day Strike Ends With New Contract

SD Governor Goes To Prison To Hear From Employees About Issues With Current Management

Map Shows How Well State Pensions Are Funded, By State
Important Reminders:
Protect Our Pensions Updates

Please Sign These Petitions To Get AC Installed At Southern State And Northern State

Statewide, Workers Begin Returning To Work - We Want Your Feedback!

AOT Stewards Needed! Become A Worksite Steward Today!

View/Download Your Contract on VSEA.org
Thank you for reading Week In Action!
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Did you miss an issue?
Check out the WIA online archive
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
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