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VSEA member Eric Scribner and his wife have created a GoFundMe page to help defray medical costs for their son Caleb, who, according to the page, “was admitted into the hospital early last week with what they thought was a stomach bug, but his health went south quick and he was air lifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center where he is currently in the ICU.”

Donate Here

Eric is an IT Specialist working in AOT’s Finance and Administration Division in Montpelier.

VSEA sends strong get well wishes to Caleb.

After months of waiting, the U.S. Supreme Court has decided in the Janus v. AFSCME case to eliminate agency-fee, and, as expected, the Court ruled against agency fee.

VSEA will be sending a letter about the ruling to all members today.

Sad day for American workers.

• CNBC: "In a blow to public sector unions, Supreme Court overturns 40-year-old precedent"

VSEA President Dave Bellini, First VP Aimee Towne and the entire Board of Trustees are thanking VSEA members, retirees and supporters for your calls, emails, personal exchanges and for any other way you reached out to the Governor and lawmakers to stress how important it was to break the budget stalemate, reminding of the harm that would result to critical services and to your livelihoods. 

Thanks again for helping VSEA fight the good fight. 

Now, on to:

1. July 1 Implementation Of State’s Last Best Offer;
2. Pending SCOTUS Janus Decision; and
3. Resolving Several VLRB Issues, Including O’Neill Appt.

Stay Strong, But More Important, Stay Engaged!!

Top Stories This Week:

• VLRB Grants VSEA Bargaining Teams A New Hearing On Contract
• Special Council Meeting Called For June 28
• VSEA Bargaining Teams Meeting With DHR On Tuesday To Discuss Shutdown
• Lip Service? State Officials Tell Workers Not To Worry About A Shutdown
• Monday’s House Vote To Override Budget Veto Fails By 5 Votes

Read the entire newsletter here!

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VSEA General Counsel Tim Belcher wrote an excellent commentary that posted this morning to VTDigger, advising Vermont officials and lawmakers to learn about the harm of gov’t shutdowns from Maine’s mistakes.  

Read Tim’s Commentary Here. 

From commentary:   

Many people are hurt by a state shutdown, but most of the pain is felt by state workers and people who rely on government assistance or support. When the Scott administration talks about needing “leverage” in negotiations, he is saying that he needs the power to cause pain to people Democrats care about. If he shuts down government, state workers and others will see their economic lives turned upside down. At best, they will face uncertainty. At worst, people will lose income they were counting on. People who live paycheck to paycheck will fall behind. People will do without. Shutdowns are stressful, difficult and demoralizing events.

Continue Reading Here…