Judiciary Unit Bargaining Update – February 4, 2016
Dear Judiciary Members:
Here’s an update on our last round of bargaining on Friday.
Secretary Of The Administration’s Comments Make VSEA Members Question If He Even Read The Fact Finder’s Report
In a VT Press Bureau article yesterday about VSEA and the State now heading to the VLRB because the State wanted to fight instead of negotiate, Secretary of the Administration Justin Johnson says the average Vermonter is not receiving the type of pay increase sought by the VSEA…
Not so fast Mr. Secretary. Read the report from the fact finder, who was mutually agreed to by both parties.
VSEA Members In Three Bargaining Units Heading To Vermont Labor Relations Board
VSEA issued the following press release today:
After Shumlin Administration negotiators showed little interest last week in working with three Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA) Bargaining Teams to try and reach new agreements (based on recommendations in a fact-finder’s report), the VSEA Teams were left with no option but to take the contract to the next step in the process; the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB).
“If you look closely at the last best offers each side submitted to the VLRB, you will see that we were really not that far apart on the most important issue, which is wages,” said VSEA President Dave Bellini.
Senator Anthony Pollina Issues Press Release, Calling On Shumlin Administration To Keep Risk Management Division State-Run
Sen. Anthony Pollina issued the following press release:
Pollina Wants Jobs to Stay in Vermont. Opposes Outsourcing of Workers Compensation Jobs
State Senator Anthony Pollina (PD Washington County) made the following statement opposing the eliminating of the Vermont Risk Assessment Division and outsourcing of Vermont jobs:
The Shumlin Administration’s plan to eliminate the State’s Risk Management Division is just bad policy, and will result in the loss of jobs and a weaker economy with no real benefit to the State.
We need to bring jobs into Vermont – not send jobs out of Vermont. There are real costs to sending jobs out of State. The proposal to outsource Risk Management makes no sense.
Eight Private, Out-Of-State Firms Bid To Take Over State’s Risk Management Division Services. Workers Say, “Keep It Local!”
On March 17, BGS’ Purchasing Division unsealed the bids from eight private, for-profit companies who want to take over workers’ comp, liability, etc. services from the State’s Risk Management Division. The State proposed cutting the Division and its dozen-plus workers as part of its budget package. VSEA members in the Division have been fighting back for months now at the State House, and now they will be able to openly question why lawmakers would want to contract these services to an out-of-state firm, driven by profit.