Lawmakers Vote To Move Forward With Pension Task Force Stacked With
Non-Labor Representatives
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VTDigger reported Thursday evening that the Vermont House approved a bill that will create a pension task force stacked with non-labor representatives. VSEA has strongly opposed the House bill and has made repeated attempts to ensure equal representation for labor and non-labor on any new task force.
Up next the bill heads to the Vermont Senate, which will likely vote on the bill next week. VSEA, NEA and the VTA hope the bill can be amended to ensure equal representation for labor and non-labor on the task force.
VTDigger: House backs new pension bill with addition of task force
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VSEA
Co-Sponsoring May Day Worker Solidarity Rally & Milk With Dignity Action
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Join a coalition of labor, community, and environmental organizations as we rally on May Day in solidarity with Vermont Workers!
We are standing with farmworkers, essential workers, teachers, state employees, and ALL Vermont workers to protect workers' rights and public pensions and to call for a jobs guarantee and healthcare for all.
Learn More Here!
Facebook Event Page
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Chauvin Trial Statement From VSEA President Aimee Towne
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The following was posted on April 20, 2021:
Today, with my two small children cuddled on my lap and my two college kids on a FaceTime, we watched as the judge read out the jury’s verdict in the Chauvin Trial.
Charge One: “Guilty.” Charge Two: “Guilty.” Charge Three: “Guilty.”
Collectively, the five of us screamed— not in celebration, but in relief— and cried with each other.
This evening, justice may have been served, but there is still much work to do dismantling systemic racism and bias. Labor unions have historically been at the forefront of those changes and of civil rights movements.
In the days and weeks ahead, I hope you will join me in reflection on the ways in which we can move forward, growing stronger, together, as we continue our work to build a more perfect union.
In Solidarity,
Aimee Towne
VSEA President
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VSEA Brattleboro Chapter President Encourages VSEA Members To Clean Up Vermont
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The VSEA Brattleboro Chapter is encouraging members to join in on Green Up Day on Saturday, May 1st!
Green Up Day, by nature, is an activity of social distancing as citizens of all ages get outside and clean up miles of Vermont roads. It is a sense of commitment to where we live and each other, it is about healthy surroundings, and it is about connecting our communities with a goal for common greatness. It is the largest statewide volunteer event in Vermont with over 22,500 taking part, and the longest-running statewide Green Up Day in the United States.
We also want to thank our AOT employees for all their work cleaning our roadways year-round!
Local locations to get bags and more information.
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All Members Welcome!
VSEA Diversity Committee Meeting
Monday, April 26
5:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
More Information
Questions? Email Elizabeth Aiken
elizabeth.aiken@vermont.gov
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Special Addison Chapter Meeting w/ Legislators
Thursday, April 29
5:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
More Information
Questions? Email VSEA Organizer Jen Larsen, jlarsen@vsea.org
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May VSEA Board of Trustees' Meeting
Tuesday, May 4
8:30 a.m.
Zoom Meeting
More Information
Questions? Email VSEA HQ: vsea@vsea.org
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Special VSEA Central Vermont Chapter Meeting w/ Legislators
Wednesday, May 5
12:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
More Information
Questions? Email Central Vermont Chapter President Rose Lucenti, rose.lucenti@gmail.com
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Quote Of The Week!
"In the days and weeks ahead, I hope you will join me in reflection on the ways in which we can move forward, growing stronger, together, as we continue our work to build a more perfect union."
VSEA President Aimee Towne in an April 20 statement posted online.
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Non-VSEA specific stories that may be of interest to VSEA members.
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America’s Unions Are More Popular Than You Think
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Jacobin reported recently that American public opinion towards labor unions may be improving.
From the article:
Pew’s analysis, conducted among over five thousand American adults between April 5 and 11, identified some 56 percent who agree that “the large reduction over the past several decades in the percentage of workers who are represented by unions” has been either “somewhat” or “very” bad for the country. Meanwhile, 60 percent said that the long-term reduction in union membership has been “bad for working people.”
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Protect Our Pensions! Hub
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Electronic Ballot Opt-Out Reminder
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Per VSEA Elections, Rules, And Nominating (ERN) Committee Policy: All members have the right to opt-out of electronic balloting and to receive notices of elections, nominating procedures, and ballots by regular U.S. Mail. Please contact VSEA at vsea@vsea.org or 802-223-5247 if you are interested in opting out. If you have already opted out you don’t need to make any changes.
Please Update Your Contact Information:
Ensure you’re receiving the latest from VSEA.
Update your contact information on VSEA.org.
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Its' Open Enrollment Time For VSEA’s Popular Delta Dental Supplemental Plan
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VSEA members should have received an email earlier today, informing you that it is once again open enrollment time for VSEA members who are not currently enrolled in your union’s very popular Northeast Delta Dental Supplemental Program. The VSEA supplemental program is designed to enhance your current State-provided dental insurance benefit.
This enrollment period is also when members already in the program can amend their number of dependents also using the program, if this number has changed in the past year.
The deadline to enroll in the supplemental dental plan, or amend your current plan, is Friday, May 14, 2021.
If you are currently enrolled in the plan but are not making any changes, you do not have to do anything.
Learn More About VSEA's Delta Dental Benefit
Additional VSEA Insurance Benefits on VSEA.org
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Still Time To Apply For A 2021 VSEA Scholarship!
May 7 Deadline!
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The VSEA Awards/Scholarships Committee is currently soliciting applications from students seeking financial assistance in the pursuit of post-secondary educational goals.
The Committee will announce the recipients of the scholarships at the June Council Meeting.
Deadline: 4:30 p.m. on May 7, 2021
Learn more or view/download the 2021 VSEA Scholarship Application
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Overview Of Governor Scott’s FY22 Budget Proposal
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The Governor delivered his 2022 budget address on January 26, and here are some of the items he touched on that are important to VSEA members. Read VSEA's comprehensive report about the budget address on VSEA.org.
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VSEA Creates Q&A About State Employees Possibly Moving To OneCare
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In response to a slew of VSEA member and retiree questions about a recent report that state employees could be moved into OneCare Vermont, members of VSEA's Benefits Advisory Committee have produced a Q&A to hopefully address many of the questions and concerns.
VSEA BAC's OneCare Q&A
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Download Your Contract On VSEA.org!
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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
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Thank you for reading Week In Action!
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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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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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Need To Update Your Contact Information
With VSEA?
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