Did you know? Defined benefit plans are safer and more reliable for Vermont’s retirees & are cheaper for taxpayers than risky, Wall St 401(k)-style plans. Learn more about the differences between defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution pension plans (a.k.a. 401K) here.
After a very successful membership-recruitment initiative this fall, VSEA is excited to announce a new membership drive for the next quarter. Never forget that ongoing recruitment is vital to the strength of your union!
Every time you recruit a new member during the designated period, your name is entered into a drawing. Four names will be pulled at random and winners will receive a check for $100.00!
Need a quick reference to help with your recruiting? You can view an informational webpage with some recruitment tips and advice here.
Learn more or download flyers here…
For Immediate Release
January 9, 2020
Contact: Doug Gibson
802-223-5247
The Vermont State Employees’ Association’s Board of Trustees met on Monday and passed a resolution that reads:
Whereas, Numerous reports have come to light in December 2019 detailing sexual harassment and exploitation in Vermont’s workforce;
Resolved, That the VSEA Board of Trustees condemns the sexual harassment and exploitation of all people living and working in Vermont;
Resolved, That the VSEA Board of Trustees commends and encourages all efforts to bring forward credible reports of abuse, and condemns any attempts to silence, intimidate, or retaliate against people bringing forward such reports; and
Seven Days published a piece today, titled, "Cost of Misconduct: State Employees Placed on Leave Get Paid While Investigations Drag On" and it’s definitely worth a read. In the piece, VSEA Executive Director Steve Howard and DHR’s Deputy make it clear that AHS Secretary Smith’s desire to eliminate stipulated agreements is the wrong way to approach the issue.
Reminder: In 2016, the State Auditor highlighted DHR’s lengthy investigations in a report. Here’s an excerpt from a 2017 post to VSEA’s website.
In what VSEA Judiciary Unit Bargaining Team members say is an all-too-familiar pattern of stalling by the Court Administrator when it comes to discussing wages and benefits at the bargaining table, VSEA’s Judiciary Unit filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) this afternoon with the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB), charging the Court Administrator with “failing and refusing to meet at reasonable times and confer in good faith with respect to wages and other compensation.” The ULP adds that the Court Administrator is “further engaging in surface bargaining by delaying substantive negotiations over compensation, refusing to respond to proposals relating to compensation, and by otherwise refusing to engage in good-faith negotiations with the intent of reaching an agreement over compensation, all with the intent of imposing terms negotiated by the Executive Branch, all in violation of 3 VSA 1026(5) and 1036(e).”
