Frontline Workers Express Fear, Frustration & Concern To Lawmakers Over A Perceived Collapse Of Vermont’s Mental Health System

VSEA members and other frontline workers did not hold back Tuesday night when testifying to lawmakers about how difficult it can be to properly treat and supervise individuals who are experiencing acute, mental-health crises. In addition to fearing injury or worse when treating the individual, many of the frontline workers testifying also said their difficulties when dealing with this population also result from a lack of training, a lack of staff, a lack of upper management accountability and an overall lack of direction from the State.

VSEA was represented at the hearing by members working at the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital (VPCH) and the Department of Corrections; two areas of state government where workers must often confront and try to effectively deal with cases of individuals in acute, mental health distress.

VSEA thanks the following members for braving the snowstorm to testify this week:

Dave Bellini
DOC, VSEA President

Peter Bartlett
VPCH, Mental Health Specialist

Scott Brumenschenkel
VPCH, RN III

Dennis Carey
Temporary Employee

Steffen Flibotte
DOC, CO

Jason Rushlow
VPCH, Mental Health Specialist

Colleen Schmitt
VPCH, RN II

Kristal Westover
VPCH, Mental Health Specialist

> View VSEA Testimony Photos

> Watch Live Video From The Testimony*
* The volume in these videos is low at times so you may need to turn the volume up. VSEA is researching several ways to improve the volume quality when live streaming future events.

VSEA members were not alone in their belief that Vermont’s current mental health care system is broken and needs prompt attention. They were supported by plenty of emergency room doctors and nurses, community-based care providers and mental health care advocates.

VTDigger published an excellent summary of the hearing on February 8, quoting VSEA members Bartlett, Westover and Bellini, and it is definitely worth a read. The article provides an overview of how big a problem it has become in Vermont to properly treat and care for our state’s mentally ill citizens and inmates. WCAX also aired a story on the hearing.

Looking for some historical perspective?

Click here to read 2010 WIA post about how VSEA and its members tried to advise the State and lawmakers on the best ways to confront the many challenges facing Vermont’s mental health care system, both present and future.

VSEA Legislative Chair Pens Commentary To Highlight The Issue Of Assaults On Frontline Workers By Persons With Mental Illness

In advance of Tuesday night’s hearing at the State House, VSEA Legislative Committee Chair Margaret Crowley penned a commentary about the dire need to enhance protections for frontline workers who care for or supervise persons in acute mental health crises. It posted on February 5 to VTDigger.

Here is how Crowley’s commentary ended:

"VSEA believes that no employee should ever have to experience violence against them while at work, no matter the assailant’s mental state, which is why VSEA members are committed to helping Vermont officials and legislators develop and implement the nation’s most sweeping worker protections. Employee lives may depend on it."

> Read Margaret’s Full Commentary

Not A Good Sign! Lawmakers As Confused As Anyone About Vermont’s Current Mental Health System

Seven Days reports today that a routine budget hearing came to an abrupt halt on Thursday when lawmakers determined that they have no idea how to fix Vermont’s broken mental health care system.

“The system is in crisis,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Jane Kitchel (D-Caledonia) said. She then pondered whether Vermont truly has a “system” at all, or just disconnected pieces of one. “We aren’t in a position to evaluate the system and make recommendations,” she continued.

The best response AHS Secretary Al Gobeille could muster was, “The Agency of Human Services intends to do a deep dive into mental health.”

The story reports that the hearing ended “on a note of mutual frustration.”

VSEA’s February 16 Issue Reception Is An Important One!

Less than a week after Tuesday night’s public hearing on worker safety, the topic of the February 16 VSEA Legislative Issue Reception just happens to be “Enhancing VSEA Members’ Safety & Security While At Work.” All VSEA members who are presently concerned about your on-the-job safety—and your colleagues’ safety—are urged to attend to make your voice heard to lawmakers in the room. The reception is February 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. VSEA members are welcome to attend this dinner. Please RSVP to VSEA Organizer Danielle Warner by email: dwarner@vsea.org.

Additional Receptions:

• Privatizing Services Is Not The Answer
  February 21
• Healthcare
  March 2

All VSEA members are invited to attend one or more of the dinner meetings, all of which are being held at VSEA headquarters in Montpelier, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m.

Again, if you are interested in attending an upcoming reception, please RSVP to:

Danielle Warner, VSEA Organizer
Email: dwarner@vsea.org

VSEA & State Settle Unfair Labor Practice

Longtime VSEA activist Beth Pelczar filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) a few months back, alleging that the State interfered with “protected union activity” when it cautioned her against urging colleagues to file “Building Related Incident Reports” about a strong chemical odor that was causing some employees at the Bennington State Office Building to experience headaches. VSEA is pleased to report that Pelczar’s pending ULP was settled this week.

“I would like to thank VSEA for their belief in my case,” said Pelczar after the settlement. “Employees should not be harassed or intimidated just because they were exercising their right to file a BRIN report or inform our union of issues. Bennington has already overcome serious building issues in the past, and the ability to speak freely and ask for outside assistance is key to establishing a safe and healthy environment, not just for the employees, but also for our fellow Vermonters whom we serve.”

While the State continues to dispute the ULP’s allegations, the parties were able to settle on an agreement that requires the State to restore any sick or annual leave a Bennington employee used as a result of the chemical odor. DCF Deputy Commissioner Sean Brown also personally submitted a letter of apology to Pelczar on behalf of the Economic Services Division.

Lawmakers Reject State’s Initial Proposal To Merge DOL & ACCD

The Senate’s powerful Economic Development Committee voted 4 to 1 on Tuesday to recommend that the full Senate vote against the State’s recent proposal to combine the Department of Labor with the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. The State’s proposal had no cost savings attached to it, and it immediately caused some to question perceived inherent conflicts of interest.

However, lawmakers are not killing the idea outright—yet, giving the State an opportunity to replace its proposal with one intended to “foster a more coherent workforce development system in Vermont.” Sen. Michael Sirotkin (D-Chittenden) was not happy about the committee’s decision to give the State another bite at the apple, saying in a VTDigger story, “The executive order, given that we’re all in agreement here, it’s going to have to be rejected. I think we’re dancing around the issue at this point.”

State officials have told lawmakers they will prepare an alternate proposal to maintain a separate, but reduced, DOL.

As reported earlier, VSEA’s legislative team is monitoring debate at the State House on all three of the State’s “efficiency” proposals, each introduced in the State’s budget address on January 24.

Note: VSEA’s Legislative team sent an email this week to DOL and ACCD members, asking them to review the State’s revised proposal and provide feedback to VSEA Legislative Director Nancy Lynch at nlynch@vsea.org. To review the new proposal, click here. VSEA Organizer Danielle Warner is hosting a meeting on February 14 at VSEA HQ to talk with interested DOL/ACCD members about the State’s revised proposal. There is also a meeting call-in option, and the information is in an email that was sent to workers yesterday.

State’s Budget Proposal Continues To Unravel, Leaving The Door Open To A Plan B, Except There Isn’t One

As predicted, the State’s initial proposal to trim the budget, which relied heavily on big changes to the way Vermont school systems are funded, is going down in flames at the State House. This week, the House dealt the plan a huge blow when lawmakers voted not to grant the State’s request to change the date for towns to vote on their school budgets from Town Meeting Day to May 23. According to a February 3 VTDigger story, the State’s planned savings hinged on the date change.

Unfortunately, for VSEA and other organizations and entities that depend on state budget dollars, Digger reports that, sadly, “there is no Plan B at the present.” The State’s failure to present a backup plan means there is soon going to be a huge hole in Vermont’s budget (some estimate as high as $40 million), but with no concrete plan to address how to fill it. What does this mean for VSEA members? Remains to be seen, but it’s looking more likely that any final budget proposal will have to be crafted by Democrats, out of necessity. On the plus side, the State’s top official has instructed lawmakers that he will veto any budget proposal that increases taxes or fees, or cuts frontline workers.

Stay tuned!

VSEA Board of Trustees January 18, 2017 Meeting Minutes Now Available Online!

Interested in reading the VSEA Board of Trustees January 18 meeting minutes? Now, you can read them and previous meeting minutes online. Just log into your VSEA.org user account.

> You can log in here.

You can find the Board of Trustees meeting minutes anytime online by logging onto VSEA.org and then navigating to the Board of Trustees drop-down in the left-hand menu. From there click the "BOT Meeting Minutes" link. Or click here to be redirected to this page.

Need a VSEA.org account?
> Sign up for a free account here

Open Enrollment For New VSEA Supplemental Vision Benefit Ends February 28!

The open period for VSEA members to enroll in your union’s new supplemental vision benefit program began February 1 and ends February 28. The new vision benefit offer is similar in nature to VSEA’s popular supplemental dental benefit, which your union began offering to members years ago. Like the dental benefit, there is a small charge to receive the vision benefit.

> To learn more about the supplemental vision benefit or to enroll, click here.

Note: VSEA has taken steps to ensure this vision benefit is available to all members who want to enroll, but know that the payroll-deduction process for Executive Branch and Judiciary Unit members is different than the one for State Colleges and Housing Authority members. Members in the Executive and Judiciary Branches have their premium deducted automatically but State Colleges and Housing Authority members’ premiums will be paid through direct monthly billing. State Colleges’ members are reminded that this vision benefit is different than the one offered by the colleges.

Former U.S. Labor Secretary Explains All That’s Wrong With “Right To Work”

Watch Reich’s Video (& Share!)

Defined Benefit Pension Plans: The Public-Sector Difference

California Capital Public Radio aired a piece this week that uses the voice of a retired state employee to educate about why many people choose a career in public service. As 45-year state employee Tom Santos explains, it’s largely because of the benefits, namely a defined benefit pension plan.

In the piece, Santos, a former welder and maintenance supervisor, relates how his peers in the private sector always used to ask him why he decided to work for the state. "You’re not gonna make any money there," they would tell him. "I want security," he would reply. What he meant was retirement security.

David Madland, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, warns that a defined contribution pension plan approach really only works for people who are market-savvy and know how to save and invest throughout their lives. But for most people, he reminds, it doesn’t work because they make mistakes about how to invest. They don’t know how long they’re going to live. "The 401(k) system has turned everything onto the individual," Madland says. " It’s like asking the individual to be their own dentist. They really aren’t well equipped to do it."

Waiting List Created For VSEA Membership Recruitment Committee’s Overnight Bus Trip To Foxwoods Casino

The bus is full for the VSEA-sponsored overnight bus trip to Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, but a waiting list has been created and names are being placed on the list in the order received. The sooner you call, the sooner your name is added to the list.

Dates:
March 25 to March 26, 2017

Bus Cost:
$60 per person

Lodging Cost:
$133/single occupancy
$78 per person/double occupancy
$70 per person/triple occupancy

Included Bonuses:

• Baggage handling;
• $10 food credit or full Festival Buffet;
• $5 food credit or full Breakfast Buffet;
• $10 slot play;
• 20% discount at any Foxwoods gift shop with a purchase of $25 up to $1,000; and
• A Foxwoods souvenir.

To put your name on the trip waiting list, please contact VSEA Administrative Assistant Sue DeVoid (sdevoid@vsea.org). She can be reached by phone at 802-223-5247.

Note: Many Foxwoods’ employees enjoy union representation through the United Auto Workers union. Big thanks to VSEA AOT member Ludwig Pulaski for reminding us about this fact.

VSEA Organizer’s Monthly Worksite Meeting Schedule

Location & Dates Of
St. Johnsbury Meetings Has Changed!

VSEA Organizer Tim Lenoch is personally conducting informational meetings in set workplaces on set days in four locations. He says the purpose of the meetings is to provide members with an opportunity to “join with their colleagues and VSEA staff for updates and discussion on the issues and challenges facing state employees and the impact on your working conditions and the services they provide.” He adds that members are welcome to “come share their ideas and hear from co-workers on how to build a stronger union and improve public services.”

Snacks and refreshments are provided.

St. Johnsbury
AHS Conference Room
DOH 107
Eastern Ave.

• February 14
• March 14
• April 11
• May 9

Brattleboro
Room 148
State Office Building
232 Main Street

• February 10
• March 10
• April 14
• May 12
• June 9

White River Junction
Room 170
State Office Building
118 Prospect Street

• February 21
• March 21
• April 18
• May 16
• June 20

Springfield
First Floor Conference Room
State Office Building
100 Mineral Street

• February 15
• March 15
• April 19
• May 17
• June 21

AMENDED! VSEA Labor Educator Alters Winter 2016 Training Schedule

VSEA Labor Educator Tim Lenoch asked WIA to make members aware that he has made some changes to his previously announced winter 2016 trainings schedule. Some trainings have been cancelled and the date for others has been changed.
(* = date change)

If you are interested in registering to attend one or more of the remaining trainings, you can do so by clicking here. Please direct your training questions to Tim at tlenoch@vsea.org.

All trainings begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m.

Location may change based on worksite location of registered participants. If this happens, registered participants will be notified at least a week ahead of the training. Mileage and lunch may be reimbursed or provided.

TARGETED DEPARTMENT/BARGAINING UNIT TRAININGS

Vermont State Colleges’ Stewards
VTC Campus, Randolph Center
Thursday, April 6

Judiciary Stewards
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Tuesday, April 11

NEW STEWARD TRAININGS

Steward 1: Introduction and the Basics
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
*Friday, March 17

Steward 3: The Contract and Challenges in the Workplace
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
*Friday, March 30

Steward 2: Protecting the Contract and Building the Union
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
*Friday, March 31

Steward 2: Protecting the Contract and Building the Union
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Thursday, May 16

ALL STEWARD TRAINING

All-Steward Training
VTC Campus, Randolph
Friday, May 26

> Click here to register for a training(s)!

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.

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