Thanks To Your Solidarity, VSEA Won An Important Battle, But…
The VSEA Board of Trustees and the VSEA Legislative Committee are thanking VSEA members, retirees and supporters for your recent deluge of calls and emails to Vermont Senators, opposing Karen O’Neill’s confirmation to a "neutral" seat on the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB). VSEA’s Legislative Team reports they heard from many Senators about the large number of calls and messages they were receiving in advance of Saturday afternoon’s historic vote (first time to oppose in 25 years). VSEA members’ solidarity, activism and support are the main reasons this vote turned out the way it did, and it’s a prime example of the power VSEA members and retirees can have when everyone is on the same page and moving the same direction. Like the old labor saying goes, "In unity, there is strength."
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Seven Days and VTDigger Stories Now Below
This doesn’t happen often folks, but…
Late this afternoon, the Vermont Senate voted by voice, not roll call, not to confirm Karen O’Neill as a "neutral" to the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB). The debate lasted roughly a half hour and Senate Economic Development Committee Chair Michael Sirotkin did a great job defending his Committee’s nearly unanimous decision earlier this week not to recommend O’Neill be confirmed.
Seven Days Story
VTDigger Story
The ball is now in Governor Scott’s court, and statute reads that he follow the Senate’s "advice" and have its "consent," which today the Senate did not give.
Scott has already threatened to reappoint, so its time for VSEA members, retirees and supporters to start calling and messaging the Governor’s office, saying:
"Listen to the Senate. Don’t reappoint Karen O’Neill to the VLRB neutral seat."
Gov. Scott Contact Information Here.
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Pictured here are VSEA Stewards at yesterday’s training at HQ, where VSEA Labor Relations Director Gary Hoadley (standing) was just one of the day’s presenters, discussing contract enforcement and other issues with the Stewards in attendance.
Here are the dates and times of two upcoming trainings for VSEA Stewards who still need to attend a session:
The dates are:
- June 8, Holiday Inn, Rutland (View Map)
- September 18, VSEA, HQ Montpelier.
Trainings begin at 8:30 a.m.
To register for a Steward training, please email VSEA Director of Field Services, Gretchen Naylor here: gnaylor@vsea.org or call 802-223-5247.
Vermont workers, especially VSEA members and retirees, are cheering news of today’s 4-1 vote by the Senate Economic Development Committee not to confirm Scott Administration appointee Karen O’Neill to a “neutral” seat on the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB).
“This was a really important first step in this process, and the Committee’s vote today should definitely send a strong message to the rest of the Senate,” says VSEA President Dave Bellini. “Karen O’Neill is just not the right person for this neutral seat. Clearly, she’s accomplished and has a very impressive resume, but her experience is all management and this is not a management seat. It’s good to see the Committee members heard VSEA’s and other Vermont unions’ concerns and voted nearly unanimously not to confirm.”
The Committee’s recommendation will now be shared with all state senators, prior to a floor vote by the entire body on Ms. O’Neill’s confirmation. VSEA is requesting a roll-call vote, so each senator’s vote will be known. Be assured that VSEA members and retirees will be the first to know when the full Senate schedules an O’Neill confirmation vote on the floor.
Call Your Senators Today!
Message (which is a continuation of what we’ve been saying): "Vote ‘no’ on Karen O’Neill’s confirmation as a neutral to the VLRB."
Find contact information for your Senator(s) here.
Thank you in advance for your help!
View A Timeline of VSEA.org Posts For 2017-2018 Contract Fight Here.
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