Clerk Warns Special Meeting To Discuss Dues Proposal Adopted At Annual Meeting
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WIA has included a story in the last few editions about members participating in September's VSEA Annual Meeting voting to adopt a sliding-scale dues proposal that was proposed by the VSEA Dues Study Committee. The new dues structure that was adopted is scheduled to begin with workers’ first full paychecks in July 2021. Dues will be based on 0.83% of an employee’s pay, with a minimum of $16 and a maximum of $19.
Following the announcement of the coming dues restructuring, some members began circulating a petition to "reconsider" the change, collecting the 100 signatures needed to convene a special meeting, which was called yesterday by VSEA Clerk Josh Cox.
In an email to members, Cox writes, "A petition with at least 100 member signatures has been received by the Clerk that states as follows: 'Pursuant to VSEA bylaw 12, sections 3 and 5, the undersigned members request that the clerk call a special meeting of the membership for the sole purpose of entertaining a motion to reconsider the resolution on increasing membership dues [relating to dues structure]. The undersigned request that the meeting be scheduled promptly after submission of this petition and warned to the VSEA membership with at least 14 calendar days’ notice.'"
Cox adds, "The sole matter to be considered at this special meeting of the VSEA membership shall be limited to the specific matter included in this petition."
Special VSEA Meeting: Dues
Sunday October 25, 2020
12:00 p.m.
Via Zoom
If you would like to participate in this special meeting, you must pre-register online or by phone--with your name--to participate in this meeting. Once registered, you'll be placed in a waiting room, but you can only gain entry if you provided your name for verification.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Union Power! Newly Organized SAS Employees Unite To Win Right To Participate In State's Free Flu Clinics
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As soon as employees in the States Attorneys and Sheriffs (SAS) office noticed they were not included on a list of state employees who are eligible for a free flu shot at a State-sponsored clinic, they decided to act collectively and approach management with their complaint. SAS management agreed with the employees, who are now working under the terms and conditions of a VSEA contract, and wrote to the Administration to correct what they believed could only be an oversight.
The State's response, which was emailed to SAS management by the Department of Human Resources, was unexpected and ill-advised. DHR's email was shared by management with SAS employees, and it reads, in part: "While you may have participated in these clinics in prior years, we have been informed by DHR that due to their receipt of more limited supplies, these vaccinations are being offered only to State employees as that distinction was articulated by the Vermont Supreme Court’s decision in 2016."
This sentence (and others) drew the ire of VSEA Labor Relations Director Gary Hoadley, who immediately sent a stern letter to DHR, that read, in part:
"Recently, [the] Governor made a renewed call for Vermonters to not become complacent in the battle to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In daily reports by the Administration and the Vermont Department of Health on COVID-19; the messages are very clear, 'TIME TO GET YOUR FLU SHOT!' and 'there is no shortage of flu vaccine this year.'
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"This is the second such instance of a decision to exclude public employees covered by the State Employee Health Plans from the opportunity to receive flu shots at LiveWell Vermont clinics. It would be incredibly negligent to deny access to such a successful inoculation program at a time when these employees need it most. All employees eligible for enrollment in the State Employee Health Plans should have the opportunity to receive a flu shot at a LiveWell Vermont clinic. SAS employees are eligible to enroll in the State Employee Health Plan(s)."
Soon after being questioned by SAS employees, and receiving Hoadley's letter, DHR reversed course and decided to include the SAS workers in the list of eligible employees.
VSEA SAO Unit Chair Justin Jiron welcomed the news, saying, "I’m very appreciative and grateful to VSEA for their quick response to the decision by DHR to exclude our employees from the flu clinics this year. I hope all employees take advantage of this opportunity – this year more than ever we know that a flu shot is a vital part of keeping ourselves, our families and our fellow employees safe and healthy. This is a great example of how we can make things happen by uniting with one voice and making our concerns heard."
Note: Well done to all involved!
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Depending on your settings, the button above will open a PDF in your web browser or download the PDF to your computer or device. If you have any questions please email vsea@vsea.org.
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No Premium Rate Increase For Employees & Retirees In State's Medical Plans
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The Department of Human Resources' Deputy Director of Benefits and Wellness sent a letter to VSEA this week that read:
Per Articles 49(9)(c), 53(9)(c), and 54(9)(c) of the respective labor agreements between the State of Vermont and the Vermont State Employees Association, Inc. (VSEA) regarding the State’s Medical plans, this letter serves as formal written notice to VSEA that we anticipate a surplus in the plan fund at the end of 2020. Additionally, the premium rates for each of the medical plan options for active employees and retirees will not be increased for the new plan year starting on January 1, 2021.
We plan to meet with the Benefits Advisory Committee as soon as schedules permit to discuss this premium rate.
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VSEA Reiterates Opposition To Any Additional Request To Shift Membership To OneCare
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VSEA's Facebook page posted a reminder this week to VSEA members that the union's position on any proposal to move state employees into Vermont’s "all-payer" OneCare health care system will be strongly and publicly rejected--much like a first-time proposal was by both the VSEA and the VtNEA in November 2019. VSEA is reminding because there could be a new request coming, and members should be prepared to make your voices heard on wanting to keep what VSEA Executive Director Steve Howard recently labeled "some of the best health care in the country."
Any request to join OneCare would come at a time when the organization is coming under fire by a host of health care professionals, providers, and non-profits.
From an Oct. 6 Burlington Free Press story:
- On Aug. 11, a group of 14 independent medical practices announced they were leaving OneCare after it refused to roll back a change in its payment policy the primary care doctors said reduced their income.
- On Sept. 28, five nonprofit organizations issued a news release calling for the state to immediately end its affiliation with OneCare, or let the agreement that formed the organization expire in 2022, and spend the money instead on "basic health care needs."
-On Oct. 2, marchers from Vermont Workers' Center picketed the UVM Health Network offices in Burlington, calling on Gov. Phil Scott to end the state's contract with OneCare and expand Medicaid to all Vermonters. There were simultaneous pickets in Barre and St. Johnsbury.
The five nonprofit organizations calling for an end to OneCare are Justice for All, VT; League of Women Voters of Vermont; Physicians for a National Health Program, Vermont Chapter; Vermont Health Care for All and Vermont Workers' Center.
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VSEA President's Message About Reconstituted Member Committees
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WIA is re-publishing this post from last week, penned by VSEA President, Aimee Towne:
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Hello VSEA Members!
I am pleased to announce the appointment of members, from across all units of VSEA, to a variety of the VSEA member Committees. VSEA is working to create a VSEA Activist training to help orient newly appointed committee members to the organization and how committee work will aid in impacting the direction and decisions of our union. Please note, if you do not see your name on the list and you expressed interest in participating on a committee in the survey, you may not have completed the personal information section of the survey. It is very exciting to have so many people willing to step up and participate. If you are currently a member of one of the committees listed, and you don’t see your name, as long as you are still interested in serving, you are still a member of the committee. If you are interested in participating in any of the VSEA Committees, please reach out to me at Aimeetowne@gmail.com or 802-793-4754.
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Depending on your settings, the link above will open a PDF in your web browser or download the PDF to your computer or device. If you have any questions please email vsea@vsea.org.
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Quote Of The Week!
"This is a great example of how we can make things happen by uniting with one voice and making our concerns heard."
VSEA SAS Unit Chair Justin Jiron, reacting to news that, after being initially left out, the State was reversing course on its initial decision not to grant VSEA's newest Unit members access to free flu clinics across Vermont. The State's decision to permit the SAS employees was driven in large part by the workers' collective action to force the change.
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California Furloughs Create Massive Backlog In Processing Unemployment Claims
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The Sacramento Bee reports this week on how a state-imposed mandatory furlough of state employees--across the board and state--is backfiring in some places.
From the story:
As desperate Californians sought help with unemployment insurance claims over the summer, hundreds of employees who could fix their problems were missing work under a state-imposed leave program, according to payroll data.
"[CA] Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature instituted a furlough-like leave program for all state civil service employees in July to help address a projected $54 billion deficit caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The leave program generally reduces workers’ pay in exchange for two days off per month.
The furloughs hit the Employment Development Department as its workforce, facing a historic number of unemployment claims, was already hobbled by inadequate technology and staffing missteps. The department during the pandemic accumulated a backlog of more than 1.6 million unemployment claims this year that it does not expect to work through until January.
In July, 684 employees who solve complex claims problems — the kind that created the backlog — took a combined 1,078 unpaid days off under the program, according to data provided by the State Controller’s Office. In August, 860 employees used 1,538 leave days, according to the data.
Meanwhile, the department has been shelling out millions of dollars every month in overtime. In July and August, the department paid employment programs representatives $7.9 million for 204,000 hours of overtime, the equivalent of about 25,500 days, according to Controller’s Office data.
Note: There's a lesson here to be learned.
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Four Maine State Employees Who Maintain Gov't Buildings Test Positive For COVID
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Credit: Natalie Williams / BDN
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The Bangor Daily News reports this week that four maintenance employees who maintain government buildings had tested positive for COVID. A fifth is possible.
From the story:
The first positive case was discovered Sept. 29 in an employee who was last at work on Sept. 24, according to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. Three other cases confirmed by tests emerged after 18 employees potentially exposed to the virus were sent home to complete a 14-day quarantine.
Seven of the quarantined employees had tested negative and returned to work by Thursday. Others are expected to return by next week, and several have tested negative, human resources director Breena Bissell said in her email to the union. Of the eight employees who are still quarantining, one is considered a “probable” case of COVID-19 — a likely case of the virus that has not yet been confirmed by a test.
All of the infected employees are currently in isolation.
Note: Another group of state employees who sacrifice their health every day to perform a critical public service. Before this story even hit, VSEA has been contacted by several of its BGS members working in maintenance who are concerned about the health risks while at work.
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Thank you for reading Week In Action!
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Current Executive Branch Unit Contracts Posted!
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VSEA Labor Relations Director Gary Hoadley recently let WIA know that the current contracts for all VSEA Executive Branch Units are now posted to the Department of Human Resources and VSEA's websites.
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Now Is The Time For Corrections Members To Self Nominate To Be On Bargaining Team
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VSEA sent an email last week to its Corrections members, informing that now is the time to self nominate to represent your Corrections Unit colleagues on the VSEA DOC Bargaining Team. Employees from each Facility and P&P office who are interested in running for a Bargaining Team position should send a letter of interest to Amy Kinsell akinsell@vsea.org no later than 4:00 Friday, October 16.
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VSEA Vets' Home Members Again Asking For Your Help. Sign The Petition!!
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VSEA members working at the Vermont Veterans' Home in Bennington are again asking all members and retirees to sign an online petition that calls on the Administration and the VVH Board of Trustees to remove VVH CEO Melissa Jackson, after she recently failed to self-quarantine after a two-day work trip to D.C.
Sign The VSEA Petition Online
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Told You're Being Investigated? Watch This Video!
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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
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State Treasurer Cautions VSEA Members To Ready For A Pension Fight
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At VSEA’s 76th Annual Meeting, VSEA members participating were greeted by State Treasurer Beth Pearce, and she cautioned state employees to begin preparing (again) for a renewed attack soon on state employees’ defined benefit pension plan. Actually, Vermont’s own pension Chicken Little, David Coates, has never stopped his now decade-long campaign to convince lawmakers to implement a 401K plan for new hires to state government. Mind you, the last time VSEA checked, a majority of exempt state employees (read: not VSEA members), when given a choice, chose a defined benefit pension plan.
Pearce did stress that she is unsure right now what action(s) state employees could be asked to make to shore up the pension fund, but she warned it could include a call for employees to increase your contribution. Pearce promised to keep us informed, and she vowed to continue to fight alongside VSEA members to protect your pension.
Continue Reading...
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Did you know? Defined benefit plans are safer and more reliable for Vermont's retirees & are cheaper for taxpayers than risky, Wall St 401(k)-style plans. Learn more about the differences between defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution pension plans (a.k.a. 401K) here.
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Getting Ready To Retire? Retired Already? Join The VSEA Retired Members’ Chapter!
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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
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VSEA Advantage Discount Program
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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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Sugarbush Kicking Off 2020-2021 Corporate Pass Program!
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Rates available thru October 28, 2020!
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Note: Depending on your settings, the links above will open PDFs in your web browser or download the PDF to your computer or device. If you have any questions please email vsea@vsea.org.
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Need To Update Your Contact Information
With VSEA?
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