VSEA has been hearing for months about Corrections members being given garbage bags to wear as PPE. In some cases, the bags were being dipped in disinfectant and reused! Some workers have reported being burned by the bleach.
At his Friday, October 16, press conference, the Governor was asked by a reporter about DOC asking employees to wear garbage bags as PPE. He deferred to AHS Secretary Smith, who denies it at first and then starts walking it back.
DOC members. What do you think of Secretary Smith’s answer? Little did you know you were taking part in a “unique opportunity.”
This week’s WIA features stories about openings that currently exist across VSEA, including the First Vice President post, several Judiciary Unit positions, and two VSEA Chapters needing officers. VSEA urges members who aren’t currently active in VSEA to consider these open positions or any others in the future.
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.
