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Three VSEA Bargaining Units Await Fact-Finder’s Report
VSEA and thousands of members belonging to the Corrections, Non-Management and Supervisory Units are anxiously awaiting a fact finder’s report, which is due by February 25, or before. After mediation failed to culminate in a contract, VSEA Bargaining Teams and State negotiators were forced in front of a fact finder, presenting him with all proposals on the table from both sides, and leaving it in his hands to come up with some kind of amalgamation of the proposals, or something else. What will be in the report is anyone’s guess.
Once VSEA Teams review the report with staff negotiators to determine a lay of the land, the Teams can decide to either meet again with the State to see if a contract can come out of the fact-finder’s report or agree to disagree and take the matter to the Vermont Labor Relations Firm.
VSEA will be updating members, after the Teams have had a chance to review the fact-finder’s report and make a determination about next steps.
If you have a question, please contact a member of your Unit Bargaining Team. Click here for a list. |
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Update On The State Employees’ Retirement Plan
VSEA’s Executive Director Steve Howard asked WIA to share this important update with the membership:
The State Employees’ Retirement Plan has been a major topic of discussion during the legislative session. There are three major areas of interest.
First, the issue of divestment from companies that profit from the sale of fossil fuels has been an ongoing and serious discussion. The State of the State Address referenced divestment from coal companies and Exxon Mobil. VSEA has been working with State Treasurer Beth Pearce to oppose efforts by the legislature and the State to allow politics to enter into investment strategies. Treasurer Pearce can be single handedly credited with defending state employees Defined Benefit Plan from wealthy business interests and conservative legislators who would like to reduce the pension plan to a 401k-like Defined Contribution plan. Treasurer Pearce has been a passionate advocate for our members and has cites the promise she made to our members to safeguard their retirement funds.
VSEA is also studying the issue of divestment. Dr. Leslie Matthews and other members sit on a committee created by the Board of Trustees and appointed by President Bellini. They will report their findings to the full Board and membership. However, VSEA is united in our stand that investment decisions should be made by financial experts and by the State Treasurer, not by politicians.
Second, VSEA has been tracking H. 772, a bill introduced by Rep. Dennis Devereux (R-Mount Holly/Ludlow/Shrewsbury) to weaken our retirement plan by requiring new state employees to use a hybrid system of a defined benefits and defined contributions. Right now state employees have a defined-benefit plan that guarantees based on years of service a defined benefit throughout their retirement. The defined contribution plan means the state makes a defined contribution and the benefit retirees receive is based on the whims of Wall Street and the stock market.
H. 772 had its customary introduction before the House Government Operations Committee, which is pretty typical of all bills in that committee. Chairperson Rep. Donna Sweaney (D-Windsor) indicated that the bill would not likely see action this year. Her perspective was shared by staff in the House Speaker’s office.
Finally, the annual Omnibus Retirement Bill will be introduced shortly. The bill contains language to ensure the health and vitality of our retirement plan by maintaining a 1% increase that was scheduled to sunset this July and adding .25% to employees’ contribution to their retirement. This 1.25% would continue until the fund is funded at 100% of the actuarially recommended value. Presently, the fund is at about 75% of that recommended amount. State employees continue to be fiscally responsible stewards of our retirement fund. Over the past two fiscal years, the State has exceeded the required contribution to the fund. The VSEA Board of Trustees met with Treasurer Pearce, requested additional information and voted to support the .25% increase. Treasurer Pearce is proposing changes to the way we are funding retirement that should expedite the full funding of the plan and save taxpayers significant amounts of money. This proposal would require a greater upfront investment by the State of Vermont in the State Employee’s Retirement Fund. |
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Vermont Becomes Fifth State To Pass Paid Sick Days Legislation
After a years-long effort by advocates, including VSEA and other Vermont unions, to win paid sick days for all working Vermonters, the General Assembly voted on February 17 to become the fifth state in the nation to pass legislation that grants workers three paid sick days a year for the first two years of the law being in effect and five days each year thereafter. The vote makes Vermont the fifth state in the nation to pass this kind of legislation.
After the bill passed, the Senate Pro Tem, House Speaker and State issued a joint statement that read:
“This legislation puts an end to an era where some Vermonters were faced with the decision of going to work sick or potentially losing their job. Many Vermont businesses do the right thing by offering paid sick days to their employees. This important right will now be extended to all Vermonters. That’s the right thing to do for workers, businesses, and public health. We’re proud that Vermont will become the fifth state to guarantee this important protection to its citizens."
“VSEA members fought for and won their right to paid sick leave, and it’s a right the union believes all Vermont workers should enjoy, which is why VSEA’s Legislative Committee has consistently included support for the bill as part of VSEA’s legislative agenda,” says VSEA Communications Director Doug Gibson. “This bill’s passage is due in large part to great work by several organizations, including many Vermont labor unions, like the VSEA.”
VTDigger Story |
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Still Time To Register For VSEA State House Day, Thursday, February 25, 2016!
Can’t attend the whole day?
Join us from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the legislative reception in the State House cafeteria!
Last call to register to attend VSEA’s annual State House Day on Thursday, February 25, 2016. Each member attending will receive a free t-shirt to commemorate the day.
This event is the perfect venue for frontline state employees to meet face to face with their local lawmakers to talk about the service you provide and the challenges that confront you daily, especially when it comes to safety and staffing.
Register to attend VSEA’s State House Day by clicking here!
State House Events:
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Breakfast in the Cafeteria
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
VSEA Open Forum With Lawmakers
(House Chamber)
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Legislative Reception in the Cafeteria
Capital Plaza Events:
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Council Meeting
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Council/Committee Meeting |
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Upcoming Trainings:
Steward Training: Health Care Facilities
Wednesday, March 2
VTrans District Office,
61 Valley View
Mendon (five miles east of Rutland)
Steward 1: Introduction & The Basics
Friday, March 4
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
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S. 154 (DCF Bill) Passes Out Of Key Senate Committee!
VSEA and its DCF members are cheering a 4-1 vote this week by the Senate Judiciary Committee to move S. 154; legislation to enhance the penalties for assaulting a DCF worker and criminalize the act of making threats.
The Times Argus published a story on February 18 about the “key” Committee’s vote, explaining that “Under the terms of the bill, DCF workers and mandated reporters will join the ranks of police officers, first responders and medical providers. Assaulting a member of any of these professions carries a stronger penalty than the assault of an average person on the street.The enhanced penalty for assaulting a mandated reporter would only be in effect if the assault is directly related to the act of making a DCF report.”
Sen. Dick Sears (D-Bennington) explained the importance of the bill’s provision that enhances the penalty for threatening someone to prevent that person from making a report to DCF , saying, “The whole idea behind this [provision] is to prevent what happened [to Lara Sobel].” |
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DCF Workers Advocate For Safety At Public Hearing On State Budget
On February 15, the House and Senate Committees On Appropriations held a series of public hearings across Vermont on the State’s proposed FY 2017 budget proposal. One of the five meetings was in Rutland, where a Vermont Press Bureau reporter was stationed and reported this:
“Two workers from the Department for Children and Families, Lisa Chapman and Laurie Bland, came to speak jointly about the governor’s recent pledge to put more money into DCF worker safety.
‘That’s wonderful,’ but not enough,
Bland said.
‘In order to keep our vulnerable children and families safe, we need to feel safe,’ she said.
The buildings need metal detectors and trained law enforcement, she said, along with secure parking lots. And with much of a case manager’s work happening in home visits, Bland said, more needs to be done to ensure a worker’s safety outside their offices.
‘Part of our safety includes our workload,’ Bland said."
VSEA thanks both DCF workers, and all other VSEA members in attendance, for taking the time to come and for making your voices heard—and the voices of your colleagues. |
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Members Meet In St. Albans To Talk Building Issues, Etc.
VSEA hosted a meeting today with employees working in several agencies and departments throughout the St. Albans State Office Building, which opened in January 2015. Workers were relocated to the new, leased space from State-owned property, and, prior to the move, they offered State officials safety, layout, privacy and other input they had to optimize the new workspace, but most of that input, workers say, was unfortunately ignored, which brings us to today.
Workers attending today’s meeting expressed safety concerns about the building, especially about the ability for anyone to see clearly see inside some offices from the outside, building access issues, and easily penetrable all-glass greeting windows. Parking garage safety was also an issue. When it came to privacy, workers talked about the walls being so thin that private conversations and consultations can be overheard; something clients have also remarked about when visiting the offices. Other concerns included leaks not being fixed, musty odors, visibly damaged tiles not replaced, expired elevator certification and floor drains not being flushed.
VSEA Union Representative Mike O’Day and Organizer Jen Larsen took copious notes and assured the workers they would bring their concerns to Montpelier. Both urged the workers in the room to remind their elected officials about the history of this building move and the subsequent results. It could be a valuable lesson as the State begins to move more and more towards leasing versus owning. The possibility of a meeting with a delegation of lawmakers was also discussed.
Workers also received a bargaining update and a “What’s Up At The State House” briefing as part of the meeting. |
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| Each spring, the VSEA Scholarship & Awards Committee solicits scholarship applications from VSEA members and their spouses, dependents and domestic partners. The application process is easy, requiring the applicant to write a couple of short essays as well as provide a grade history, employment history, personal references and a few other things. All applications received before the official deadline are then reviewed by all committee members who debate the eligible candidates and then vote to decide a particular year’s winners. Winners are usually announced at the VSEA Council’s June meeting in a given year.
View/ download the 2016 application here! |
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VSEA Files Grievance Over Smoking Ban On National Life "Campus"
The Issue Here Is, Whose Work Rules Govern State Employees? Contractually Bargained Work Rules Or Those Of A Landlord?
Read the AP Story Here
Here is the full quote VSEA provided to AP:
"Earlier this week, VSEA mailed a grievance challenging this proposed change in working conditions to Human Resources Commissioner Spellman. Our grievance reminds that state employees’ terms and conditions of employment, including work rules, are governed by the employees bargained contract; not dictated by an entity leasing property to the State. It also reminds that the State has an obligation to notice VSEA about proposed changes to working conditions, which did not happen here. Simply put, the blanket smoking policy National Life wants to implement on July 1 must be bargained with the VSEA The Vermont Labor Relations Board has supported the VSEA’s position in a prior attempt to change the smoking rules for a State workplace, and we are confident they will support our position again."
DHR responded with, "The state is a tenant to National Life and we follow the worksite rules set out by our landlord."
Feelings about smoking aside, this is an important grievance for state employees, especially since the State has been moving towards a leasing model in the past few years, making clarification on whose work rules prevail imperative. |
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Bennington Chapter Meeting Is February 22!
VSEA Bennington Chapter President Victoria Thorpe asked WIA to remind Chapter members that your next meeting is Monday, February 22, at the Bennington Free Library (upstairs), located at 101 Silver Street in Bennington. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m., and food and beverages will be available.
Please RSVP to: coley10.4@hotmail.com. |
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Barre Chapter Cancels February 25 Meeting!
To avoid a conflict with VSEA’s annual Legislative Reception on Thursday night, February 25, Barre Chapter President Sue LaFleche is cancelling a Chapter meeting she had scheduled for that day. Sue apologizes for any inconvenience and is encouraging all Barre Chapter members to attend VSEA’s State House Day and/or Legislative Reception on Thursday (4:30 – 6:00 in the State House Cafeteria). |
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VSEA Members At The St. Johnsbury Work Camp Being Urged To Attend Local Delegation’s Next Breakfast With Constituents
VSEA is informing its members at the St. Johnsbury Work Camp about an upcoming constituent breakfast being hosted by area legislators. It will be a great opportunity for workers to share all the reasons the closure doesn’t make sense with their legislators. The breakfast is being held Monday, February 29, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the St. Johnsbury House, located at 1207 Main Street. Please note there is a small entry fee at the door. |
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Longtime VSEA AOT Activist Jerry Comstock Retires
VSEA Senior Union Representative Dave Van Duesen submitted this fitting tribute to Brother Comstock:
“This week, colleagues of longtime AOT Steward, Jerry Comstock (a recipient of a 2015 VSEA President’s award) joined with him at the Central Garage in Berlin, where he’s based, to celebrate his retirement.
Jerry started with the State in 1984, and in recent years he has been the go-to union activist at his worksite. In the past year alone, Jerry has actively participated in several union actions, including: signing the Fight Back Petition (Winter 2015), attending the Fight Back Rally (Spring 2015), signing the Dignity & Respect Petition (Summer 2015), and signing the “Garage Workers United For A Fair Contract” Petition (Fall, 2015). Jerry (along with fellow AOT Steward Nick Davis) also personally delivered the AOT petition to the Agency of Transportation Secretary (September, 2015), and used his own Annual Leave to support his NMU Bargaining Team (September, 2015).
Serving in recent years as Vice Chairman of the AOT Labor Management Committee, Jerry, along with Chairman Jason Heath, succeeded in securing a $250 Retention Bonus for Plow Drivers and a guarantee for rank-and-file workers that they would have a seat on all Hiring Committees in AOT Operations.
At the end of the day, because of Jerry’s leadership and hard work, he is leaving behind a stronger union then what he found in 1980s. And it’s fitting that on his last day at work for the State, Jerry was representing a co-worker in an investigation. That is the kind of guy Jerry is. He will be missed.”
Editor’s Note: Thanks for everything Jerry! Dave is right. You will be missed. Congratulations! |
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NMU Bylaw Changes Due February 26!
Non-Management Unit Chairperson Michelle Salvador asked WIA to let NMU members know that the deadline to submit proposed Unit bylaw changes is Friday, February 26.
Proposals should reference the number, section, sub-section, etc. of the bylaw you would like to change. You should also include the language you want to add, delete or substitute. Also include the reason(s) you are making this proposal. Example: “Bylaw 0 A (1) (b) Change: Monday to Sunday. Reason: Makes it easier to work with the calendar.”
To view existing NMU bylaws, click here. |
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VSEA Insurance Representative In Middlebury Next Week
VSEA Insurance Representative Joanne Woodcock will be in Middlebury two days next week to talk with interested VSEA members about member-only insurance benefits.
February 23 & 24
Vocational Rehabilitation Conference Room
Middlebury
12:00 to 3:00
Receive information on disability coverage, family life insurance, family accident and cancer coverage. You must be a member paying full dues to be eligible for this VSEA benefit. If you are an agency-fee payer, Joanne can provide you information about signing up for full membership. |
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VSEA Labor Educator Continues Winter/Spring 2016 Training Schedule
VSEA Labor Educator Tim Lenoch asked WIA to announce a new round of trainings he has scheduled for winter/spring 2016. If you are interested in registering to attend one or more trainings, you can do so by clicking here. Please direct your training questions to Tim at tlenoch@vsea.org.
Trainings in blue are for all members.
Steward Training: Health Care Facilities
Wednesday, March 2
VTrans District Office,
61 Valley View
Mendon (five miles east of Rutland)
Steward 1: Introduction & The Basics
Friday, March 4
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward 2: Protecting The Contract & Building The Union
Wednesday, March 16
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward Training: The “Hostile Work Environment”
Wednesday, March 23
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward 3: The Contract & Challenges in the Workplace
Friday, March 25
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward Training: Investigations & Working With Human Resources
Wednesday, March 30
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward Training: Corrections Unit
Wednesday, April 6
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward Training: The Grievance
Wednesday, April 13
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward Training: The Labor/Management Committee
Friday, April 15
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Diversity & Solidarity For Public Sector Union Members
Friday, April 22
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
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Do you have Week In Action feedback?
We want to know what you think of VSEA’s
Week In Action. Send us your feedback here |
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Complete this survey by COB March 4th for a chance to win $50 cash gift cards to Shaw’s Supermarket and Onion
