Alert! Due to a scheduling conflict at the State House, the December 9 State Pension Task Force meeting (one of its last before the committee finalizes its recommendations to present to lawmakers and State officials) is being moved to the Pavilion Building.
VSEA’s Board of Trustees is again challenging every VSEA Chapter and its members to raise as much money as possible between now and December 31 to provide meals to a “virtual food drive” for the Vermont Foodbank.
Want to get in on the challenge? Just go to the Fundraising Challenge page on VSEA.org, choose your Chapter, and then hit the “Donate” button. Every dollar you donate, via this donation page, supports the Vermont Foodbank! The VSEA Chapter with the most money raised by New Year’s wins some well-deserved bragging rights!
“Donating money to the Vermont Foodbank provides more food…bang for the buck…than donating food you’ve purchased individually,” explains VSEA Board member Will Wells. “This is because the Vermont Foodbank can purchase food at bulk discounted rates.”
The total amount of money VSEA donated to the Foodbank in 2020 was $11,904, and VSEA’s Chittenden Chapter raised the most!
VSEA is sending its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of DCF Social Worker Lisa Kelley, who tragically died yesterday, sadly and allegedly as a result of domestic violence.
Lisa was based in DCF’s Family Services Division in Morrisville, where she began working in November 2015. She is being remembered as a valued colleague, mentor, and friend.
Anyone in need of help can call the Vermont Network Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-228-7395.
As you well know, the past two years have been extremely difficult for VSEA members and the services you and I provide daily to Vermonters. Sadly, the COVID crisis continues, and I know from talking to many of you over the course of this pandemic that it is taking a toll on both your personal and professional lives. But true to form, most members tell me that, regardless of the COVID risk, they are committed to ensuring their service is there and functioning for Vermonters. This is why I am asking everyone I know to join me in giving special thanks this year for the dedication, courage, and selflessness of each and every VSEA member during this COVID crisis.
And because it’s Thanksgiving, I want to express how thankful I am for my union. Here are some of the things I am most thankful for:
Wage & Step Increases;
Paid Holidays;
Annual & Sick Leave;
A Pension, Retirement Security;
Grievance Procedure;
Health, Dental & Life Insurance;
Personal & Family Leave;
Labor Law Attorneys;
Just Cause Protection;
Right To Union Representation; and
Childcare Reimbursement.
I understand these are difficult and uncertain times for many state employees, and I really hope this Thanksgiving holiday gives you a chance to reconnect and recharge.
Wishing every VSEA member and retiree a happy Thanksgiving!
