Senate Votes For Equal Number Of Labor/Non-Labor Reps On Pension Task Force
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Next Up: Conference Committee
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The Vermont Senate passed legislation this afternoon that will allot six seats on a soon-to-be-created, pension task force to "labor" and six seats to "non-labor". The vote was huge because it counters Vermont House legislation passed recently that allots nine seats to non-labor but just six seats to labor. VSEA was quick to publicly reject the House legislation because of the obvious imbalance it would create on this important task force charged with addressing funding issues with the state employee and teacher pension plans. Thankfully, the Senate also rejected the House language, choosing instead to ensure fairness by giving both labor and non-labor an equal number of seats.
House and Senate representatives will now convene a conference committee to work to resolve the three-seat difference in the two pieces of legislation. VSEA will be contacting members and retirees very soon with ways to help ensure pension task force fairness.
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Lawmakers Hear (Again) About Corrections Staff Shortage. VSEA Labels It A "Crisis"
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VTDigger posted a story this week that resulted from a legislative hearing on Wednesday about staff shortages across the Vermont prison system, most notably at NW State and Southern State.
“This is the No. 1 crisis facing the department of corrections,” [VSEA Executive Director Steve] Howard tells the committee. “We’re really at a serious point as we speak.”
At one point in the hearing, lawmakers suggest forming a study committee or task force to examine the issue, and this did not sit well with VSEA representatives in the room.
"Vince Illuzzi, a lobbyist with the Vermont State Employees’ Association, urged the committee to take more immediate steps than including it in study language.
'The staffing numbers are critical,” he says. ”The employees I spoke with said they are getting daily, almost daily, retirement announcements, people leaving for a number of reasons.'"
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VSEA Corrections Members' Testimony Leads To Far More Favorable Legislation
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This week, the Senate Government Operations Committee unanimously passed H.435—the so-called Corrections Bill—which now includes big changes demanded by VSEA and its Corrections members. The full Senate will now take action on the bill.
“Your union fought hard to challenge H.435 and won!," says VSEA President Aimee Towne. "Your union went toe-to-toe with the Administration after it introduced this bill in response to a one-sided article in the weekly newspaper Seven Days. The Administration sought to distract lawmakers and the public from the ongoing failures of the DOC management and pin the blame for the current culture of DOC on heroic frontline workers. They used the Seven Days article, which unfairly depicted our members in a negative light, and a corresponding investigative report paid for by management, to draft a bill that VSEA could not support. But your union pushed back hard and won major changes.”
Here are the major changes VSEA and its Corrections members were able to make to the bill:
- VSEA fought hard to make the staffing crisis and the massive mandatory overtime in DOC a major focus of this legislation;
- VSEA successfully fought to convince the Senate Committee to eliminate polygraphs and random drug tests that even the State Police aren’t subjected to from the bill; and
- VSEA battled to make sure our members' rights are protected from management’s new Corrections Investigative Unit, which is included in the bill.
President Towne is urging VSEA Corrections member to make your voices heard! Contact your state senator and ask them to stand with frontline workers in DOC.
Find your State Senator's contact information online or on Vermont.gov
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VSEA Joins With America To Thank COs, Nurses & Teachers
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Three very important groups of workers are being celebrated this week, and VSEA is joining with America to thank its correctional officers, nurses, and teachers. VSEA appreciates your service each and every day, but special thanks are deserved this year, as these workers have been on the frontlines of America's and Vermont's fight against the COVID-19 virus since its onset in Vermont.
Thank you for your service.
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Vermont Motorist Commends Two VSEA Corrections Officers
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VSEA was notified this week about a really nice post to a Facebook page from a Vermont motorist, commending two VSEA Corrections Officers at NW State, Jeff Heath and Jason Nareau, for coming to her assistance
Here's what "Elaina Marie" posted,
“Today I had an interaction with 2 correctional officers, and I can’t be thankful enough! I had to reach out and hopefully send compliments somehow. I hope this is a good venue! Today, while headed to pick up my kid from high school, someone cut me off, and I hit the curb! The two officers are the only people in 2 hours that stopped on a busy road to help a mom and 3 kids. They were kind, knowledgeable, they changed my tire, and switched a tire from the back to the front. They were kind, interacted with my kids, and helped me! They literally saved my afternoon; we have just moved and all family Is 2 hours away so I had literally no one to call for help. The two officers names were “Jason Nareau” and “Heath.” They said they had been working at the hospital with an inmate in Keene. They were working up a sweat and getting dirty in an inconvenient place! Please send my endless thank you’ s along to their supervisor. They were true gentleman.”
Thank you, Officers Heath, and Nareau for your selfless service!! We are truly grateful to work with professionals such as yourself.
Note: Well done!
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"Flying Fred" Fleury's VSEA Car Wins The Day(s) At Thunder Road
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WIA informed members last week that VSEA Corrections member Fred Fleury is driving a car this year at Thunder Road that sports the VSEA logo as well as "Protect Our Pensions" and " A Pension Is A Promise."
Here's how VSEA member Kory Stone reported the results of Fred's first-race weekend to the VSEA Pension Facebook page:
"[Last Sunday] Flying Fred Fleury drove the #99 VSEA Save our Pensions Ford into victory Lane at Thunder Road, Fred was quick to thank the VSEA for their support during his victory interview! Fred not only won the feature but he also won the Thunder Road car show. It was great to hear the crowd holler in support when the track announcer mentioned the VSEA!"
Note: Congratulations Flying Fred! Keep us posted Kory.
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VSEA Sends Notice About Upcoming
Board Of Trustee Elections
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VSEA emailed members last week about upcoming Board of Trustees elections. In case you missed the email, here are the seats up for election in 2021:
- Judiciary Unit Trustee;
- Non-Management Unit Trustee;
- District 3 Trustee (Newport / Island Pond, Lamoille, Northeast Kingdom, St. Johnsbury); and
- District 6 Trustee (Brattleboro, Springfield, White River Junction).
Petitions are due back to VSEA HQ by 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 1.
VSEA is now accepting petitions for the Board of Trustee positions listed above. A few things to remember:
- To be eligible to run for the Judiciary or Non-Management Unit Trustee seats, you must belong to the Unit and be a member in good standing;
- To be eligible to run for the District 3 Trustee position you must reside in, or have an assigned workstation in the Newport / Island Pond, Lamoille, Northeast Kingdom, or St. Johnsbury Chapter Districts;
- To be eligible to run for the District 6 Trustee position you must reside in, or have an assigned workstation in the Brattleboro, Springfield, or White River Junction Chapter Districts;
- Any members interested in running for election are required to submit a petition bearing no fewer than 25* VSEA members’ names, signatures, and employee numbers by the June 1 deadline.
*Candidates are encouraged to obtain more than 25 members’ signatures to ensure compliance with the eligibility requirements.
If you like to place your name into nomination for this seat, there are two ways to do so:
- Submit a paper petition (linked below) with 25 signatures to VSEA HQ; or
- Submit electronically: It's a two-step process that begins by you filling out this self-nomination online form followed by you soliciting 25 members to complete this online petition, providing your name, their name, their EE numbers, and a short statement of support for your name on the ballot.
Please note that non-VSEA member signatures are not valid on your petition. You can recruit non-members to become full-fledged members online.
If you have any questions about this process, please feel free to email vsea@vsea.org or call 802-223-5247.
View/Download a PDF Petition:
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VSEA is sending condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of:
Ann Hastings - A 40-plus-year state employee, Ann worked her entire career in the Department of Human Services, retiring as an Assistant Director of Long Term Care. Ann passed away May 9 at age 68; and
Roger Barrows - A 30+ year state employee, Roger was chief of security at the Windsor facility, who passed away on April 9 at age 63.
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Upcoming Union Meetings, Events, and Deadlines:
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Special VSEA Addison Chapter Conversation w/ Legislators
Monday, May 10
12:15 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
More Information
Questions? Email VSEA Organizer Jen Larsen, jlarsen@vsea.org
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VSHASF Annual Meeting
Wednesday, May 12
12:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
More Information
Questions? Email VSHASF Bargaining Unit Chair Nate Schmechel: nateschmechel@gmail.com
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Diversity Committee Meeting
Wednesday, May 12
5:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
More Information
Questions? Email VSEA Attorney Kelly Everhart: keverhart@vsea.org
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Awards & Scholarships Meeting
Thursday, May 13
6:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting
More Information
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Delta Dental Enrollment Period Ends
Friday, May 14
4:30 p.m.
More Information
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Quote Of The Week!
"Almost every case, the employer comes up with a story at the end — ‘It was unforeseeable,’ ‘We were seeking financing’ — and then they give notice the last day."
Stuart J. Miller of New York-based Lankenau & Miller LLP, one of the attorneys representing Vermont Koffee Kup employees, who received no notice the company was abruptly closing its doors last week. The workers have rightfully filed a lawsuit, alleging the employer failed to give employees the proper notice required by federal law (a.k.a. the WARN Act).
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Non-VSEA specific stories that may be of interest to VSEA members.
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New AFL-CIO Report Finds 275 US Workers Killed Daily
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The national AFL-CIO has released an updated "Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect" report and the findings are alarming.
From an AFL-CIO press release:
In 2019, 5,333 working people were killed on the job and an estimated 95,000 died from occupational diseases, according to the 30th edition of the report released this week. That means every day, on average, 275 U.S. workers die from hazardous working conditions. And this was before the devastating COVID-19 pandemic that has been responsible for far too many worker infections and deaths in our country.
“This year, we commemorate 50 years of OSHA and the lives saved by ensuring workers are protected on the job,” said AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler. “COVID-19 has been a stark reminder that workplace safety protections are absolutely critical, and we still have a long way to go. As a country, we must renew our commitment to safe jobs for all workers and invest the resources to make that happen.”
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Protect Our Pensions! Hub
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Its' Open Enrollment Time For VSEA’s Popular Delta Dental Supplemental Plan
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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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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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