Safety & Security On The Minds Of State Employees As August 7 Nears

As Vermont approaches the August 7, one-year anniversary of the tragic killing of DCF Social Worker Lara Sobel, VSEA’s recent letter to the State—requesting several additional safety and security measures above and beyond the ones outlined in a recent email sent to AHS staff by Commissioner Hal Cohen—was referenced this week in safety and security press stories about the tragedy and what the State has done since then.

Here are some of the stories published to date (there will surely be more in the coming days):

Associated Press
VTDigger

Bennington State Employees Plant Tree To Honor Lara Sobel

> View full size image here

A contingent of Bennington state employees (primarily DCF workers but others too, including Bennington Chapter President and Judiciary worker Victoria Thorpe) marched today from the State Office Building into downtown, where they planted a tree in memory of DCF Social Worker Lara Sobel, who was killed by a client on August 7, 2015.

Wonderful tribute Bennington members!​

Deadline To Register For VSEA’s 2016 Annual Meeting Is This Monday, August 8!

VSEA’s 2016 Annual Meeting is being held on Saturday, September 10. All members are encouraged to attend the meeting and to participate in the festivities. Friday night there will be a dinner banquet followed by a dance. “Good Times Music” DJ Allen Brown is a VSEA member and an AOT worker! Also, for the first time, there will be a caricature artist to do drawings! On Saturday, members meet to discuss and vote on your union’s annual budget and its bylaws, as well as prioritize and set goals for VSEA.

If you haven’t registered yet for Annual Meeting, please go here to complete an online form and submit it. You can also find a printable hard copy of the registration form on this page.

Deadline Is August 12 To Submit Your 2016 VSEA Annual Meeting Award Nominations!

Note: The VSEA Awards & Scholarships Committee is dealing again this year with a lack of nominations in certain categories. Please take a few minutes today to nominate someone or a Chapter you think is deserving of an award. Thanks in advance for submitting a nomination(s).

Friday, August 12, is the deadline to submit your nominations for a 2016 VSEA Outstanding Performance Award in the following categories:

1. VSEA Chapter of the Year;
2. VSEA Steward of the Year;
3. The Mazza Award — For Outstanding Service to VSEA;
4. The Macaig Award — For Outstanding Public Service; and
5. The Linda Coan Memorial Award — Outstanding VSEA Staff Member

> Submit your nominations online here.

Winners announced at Annual Meeting banquet on September 10.

Lamoille Valley Chapter Announces Annual “School Supply Challenge”

Last year, VSEA’s Lamoille Valley Chapter launched a successful effort to get Chapter members to donate school supplies to help children in need. This year, the Chapter is hoping to build on last year’s initial success.

The Chapter is distributing collection boxes to Lamoille worksites, and the goal is to collect as many items as possible by Tuesday, August 23. All supplies collected will be given to children currently in the custody of DCF Morrisville Family Services. All types of supplies are needed, including: backpacks, lunch boxes, pencil cases, pencils, crayons, colored pencils, notebooks, folders, rulers, scissors and markers, to name a few.

Questions?
Please contact Chapter President Aimee Towne (aimee.towne@vermont.gov) or Chapter Clerk and Treasurer Peggy Burbank (Margaret.burbank@vermont.gov).

Waterbury Chapter’s Annual Meeting Is August 10!

On the heels of a very successful Member Appreciation Day event, VSEA’s Waterbury Chapter will hold its Chapter Annual Meeting at noon on Wednesday, August 10, at the State Office Complex in Waterbury. Members with questions should contact Waterbury Chapter President Tracey Harrington by email at tracerann@gmail.com.

White River Junction Chapter’s Annual Meeting Is August 10!

VSEA’s White River Junction Chapter will hold its Chapter Annual Meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10, at the State Office Complex in White River Junction. Members with questions should contact White River Junction Chapter President Don Shaw by email at don.shaw@vermont.gov.

Springfield Chapter’s Annual Meeting Is August 11!

VSEA Springfield Chapter President Joey Holmes asked WIA to let members in his Chapter know that your Annual Meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 11 at the State Office Building in Springfield. It begins at 4:30 p.m. and pizza and beverages will be available. The meeting has a full agenda, including:

• Call to Order;
• Adoption of Previous Meeting’s Minutes;
• Chapter President’s Report;
• Chapter Treasurer’s Report;
• Election of Chapter officers (President/Vice-President/Treasurer and Secretary) and 1 open Council seat;
• Discussion on VSEA Annual Meeting (raffles/drawings we will do for VSEA and Springfield Chapter fundraising);
• Old Business;
• New Business; and
• Adjournment.

Questions? Need Directions?
Contact Joey at 885-8992 /Liz at 674-1103 or Leona at 885-8994.

Franklin/Grand Isle Chapter’s Annual Meeting Is August 12!

VSEA’s Franklin/Grand Isle Chapter Annual Meeting is Friday, August 12, at St. Albans Bay in St. Albans. Food and beverages provided and door prizes to award. Chapter President Michael Gordon is reminding that this is a family friendly event. Members can RSVP to Gordon at michael.gordon@vermont.gov.

In most cases, your Chapter’s Annual Meeting is its most important assembly of the year, and all Chapter members’ voices and viewpoints are welcome.

Two In A Row: Vermont Veterans’ Home Is Found Again To Be Deficiency-Free!

For the second time in a six-month period, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has inspected the Vermont Veterans’ Home (VVH) and found it to have a zero deficiency rate, which is a huge achievement and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the workers. In addition, the VVH is going to be able to return $800,000 to the State; savings gleaned from a more-efficient-than-thought mold removal process at the Home. This is especially helpful for the Home’s administrators, who it seems must go to the State House every year to seek additional funding.

“This is terrific news again for the Vets’ Home and its workers,” VSEA Communications Director Doug Gibson tells WIA. “It will be very helpful to have the results of these inspections in VSEA’s hands when we are at the State House in 2017, fighting lawmakers who are lobbying to privatize the Home and its workforce—and there are a few each session who actively do. I don’t care what private company you are talking about; you can’t deliver any better care to Vermont veterans than they are receiving right now in Bennington, in a State-run home with unionized state employees. We should all be proud that our Vets’ Home is one of the nation’s best.”
In an August 4 Rutland Herald story about the achievement, The Home’s Acting Director of Nursing, Patricia Crossman, praises the VVH workers for their role in the Home’s success.

“What really, I think had the biggest impact was the knowledge base of our staff and how they handle and care for our veterans here,” she says. “Through education and just through our processes, they show confidence. No matter what day it is, you will always see that confidence.” She adds, “Every day, not even just on survey day, every day, every staff member is on the bus, you know? They want to deliver excellent care and they’re very compassionate about their veterans.”

Celebrate Vermont Fish Hatchery Day – August 6

VSEA is proud to represent workers at state fish hatcheries all across Vermont, so the union was pleased to read that the State recently declared August 6 to be Hatchery Day, “in recognition of the important role the state’s fish hatcheries play toward benefiting Vermont’s environment and outdoor recreationalists.”

Hatchery Day, which will be celebrated by open houses and other activities at the state’s hatcheries, will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Bennington Fish Culture Station and the 125th anniversary of the Roxbury Fish Culture Station, a facility soon to be rebuilt following impacts from Tropical Storm Irene.

In honor of fish hatchery workers, VSEA is pleased to share again with readers this feature story from the July 2013 VSEA VOICE, which visited with workers at the Roxbury Fish Cultural Station.

> Read Rebirth In Roxbury: Roxbury VSEA Fish Hatchery Workers Rebuild Following Irene

VSEA Delegates Attend Annual Summer School For Union Women

VSEA’s delegation to the 2016 NE Summer School for Women in Unions and Worker Organizations strike a pose on the grounds of the Rutgers campus in New Brunswick. NJ. Pictured here: Melissa Walsh (VVH), Cassidy Renfrew (DOC), Dawn Carillo (DII), Barbara King (VVH), Victoria Thorpe (Judiciary) and Sarah Draper (DCF). Not pictured is Rebecca Trower (Tax Dept.)

VSEA Summer School participant and Bennington Chapter President Victoria Thorpe tells WIA:

“Wow. Phenomenal. Absolutely amazing. The positive energy of 146 union women is remarkable! Personally, I’m genuinely empowered to pursue a greater level of leadership within my union. An enormous thank you to our VSEA Board of Trustees for making it possible to attend this incredible NE Summer School UALE. If you’re a woman in your union and you want education and inspiration, attending the New England Summer School is a must. 2017’s school is being held at UMASS.”

Keeping His Designated VSEA Worksite Bulletin Board Up To Date!

Brattleboro Parole and Probation employee Mike Arace in front of his designated VSEA worksite bulletin board, which he ensures has current updates and news members can use. In State worksites across Vermont, members like Mike are helping to ensure frontline workers have access to the resources they need, like up-to-date information. If you keep your worksite bulletin board as fresh as Mike, please post a picture of you (or you and your co-workers) to VSEA’s Facebook page! Thanks!

Phone Banking For VSEA-Endorsed Candidates

VSEA has begun facilitating phone banks across Vermont for members to contact members to urge their support for VSEA-endorsed candidates on August 9. Pictured here are members of VSEA’s Springfield Chapter, participating in a phone bank this week. VSEA thanks every member who volunteers some time to participate in 2016 VSEA campaign activities. A reminder though that VSEA volunteers are still needed after the primary election next week. If you would be interested in volunteering some time to help your union’s campaign 2016 efforts, please contact VSEA Organizing Director Vinnie O’Connor by email voconnor@vsea.org, or by phone at 223-5247.

Up-To-Date Schedule Of Chapter Annual Meetings

It’s that time of the year again. Time for all VSEA Chapters to be scheduling their Chapter Annual Meetings in advance of VSEA’s all-inclusive Annual Meeting on September 10 at Killington.

Here are the scheduled Chapter Annual Meetings to date (Click links for more information):

• Addison – TBD
• Brattleboro – Wednesday, August 17 – Marina Restaurant, Brattleboro,
  5:00 p.m.
• Central Vermont – Thursday, August 18 – Recreation Park Pavilion, Montpelier, 5:30 p.m.
• Franklin/Grand Isle – Friday, August 12 – St. Albans Bay, 5:00 p.m.
• NEK/ St. Johnsbury – Wednesday, August 17, – ANR, 1229 Portland St., St. Johnsbury, 5:00 p.m.
• Newport/ Island Pond – Thursday, August 18 – East Side Restaurant, Newport, 5:00 p.m.
• Retirees – Thursday, August 18 – Steakhouse Restaurant, Berlin,
  9:30 a.m.
• Springfield – Thursday, August 11 – State Office Building, 100 Mineral, First Floor Conference Room, 4:30 p.m.
• Vermont State Hospital – TBD
• Waterbury – Wednesday, August 10 – Waterbury State Office Complex, Noon
• White River Junction – Wednesday, August 10 – 5:00 p.m.

WIA will update this each week with times and locations, as they are learned. If your Chapter has scheduled its meeting, please make a note of the date and try to attend, as your voice is important.

Calling All VSEA Campaign 2016 Volunteers!

In the weeks leading up to the Vermont’s August 9 primary election—and then to the November 8 general election—VSEA Legislative Committee members and HQ staff will be asking members to volunteer some time to assist candidates who have received VSEA’s endorsement and who deserve our support. A reminder that, this year, there are five VSEA members running for office, and each could use your help.

There are many ways for you to participate in VSEA’s Campaign 2016 activities, including:

• Participate in a VSEA- or candidate-sponsored phone bank;
• Participate in a VSEA- or candidate-sponsored honk-and-wave;
• Participate in a VSEA- or candidate-sponsored door-to-door canvassing effort;
• Participate in a VSEA- or candidate-sponsored candidate(s) rally;
• Educate your family, friends and colleagues about the candidate and his/her positions on issues important to VSEA members;
• March with a candidate in a parade;
• Volunteer to help at a candidate’s headquarters (if applicable) with things like answering phones, filing, assembling educational packets/mailings, etc.;
• Put a yard sign in your yard, or help the candidate distribute signs in your area;
• Host a candidate house party;
• Drive voters to the polls on Election Day;
• Pen a letter to the editor in support of VSEA-endorsed candidate(s); and
• Make a monetary contribution to a candidate(s).

If you would be interested in volunteering some time to help your union’s campaign 2016 efforts, please contact VSEA Organizing Director Vinnie O’Connor by email voconnor@vsea.org, or by phone at 223-5247.

Important Note: It is imperative that VSEA have your current home email address, so you can receive political material. This is because some messages could be labeled partisan, and therefore they are not permissible to send to work emails. When contacting Vinnie with interest, please be sure to let him know your current home email. Thanks!

Subscribe To VSEA!

VSEA’s Communications Department is happy to disseminate any and all communications the leadership, Chapters, Units, and others request, however, the lists the Department currently pull from are provided to the union by the State of Vermont. VSEA’s Communications Department has found the lists to be dated, incomplete and sometimes lacking key information that was entered by a VSEA staff person but later overwritten or deleted during a State data dump.

To help VSEA more effectively reach active members—and really all those members who want to know what’s going on in their union—VSEA will be working hard in the coming months to collect members’ emails on its own and begin to build contact lists that cannot be altered by a State download.

You can help us get started by clicking here and signing up for the VSEA communications you are interested in receiving.

Thank you in advance for subscribing. Please urge your colleagues to do the same.