Read this issue of Week In Action!
View the Week In Action Newsletter Archive!
Subscribe to Week In Action Here!
In this week’s issue:
Citation Would Have Required “Reasonable Timetable” For Remedy. VSEA issued the following this morning:
Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA) leaders and members are questioning VOSHA’s decision early this week to issue just a warning letter to DCF and not a formal citation, after completing an extensive review of Department for Children and Families’ (DCF) worker and workplace safety protocols in the wake of Lara Sobel’s murder.
VSEA says if a citation had been issued, in addition to levying fines, VOSHA, by statute [21 VSA§225 (a)], would be required to “fix a reasonable time for the abatement of the violation.” But the only timeline mentioned in VOSHA’s warning letter is a reminder to DCF that “VOSHA may return to your work site in approximately one year to further examine the conditions noted above.” In its letter, VOSHA also recommends that “the State voluntarily take the necessary steps to eliminate or materially reduce your employees’ exposure to the risk factors stated.”
This letter by VSEA Barre Chapter President Sue LaFleche appeared in today’s Times Argus. VSEA thanks Sue for her initiative and help.
"I am writing to let your readers and the public know why “We Support Our State Employees” signs are popping up across Vermont. They are union members of VSEA’s efforts to rally support of Vermonters to protect the services they rely on by supporting the state employees who provide them. We want the state to negotiate a fair contract with its employees."
The Vermont Progressive Party passed a resolution last week that supports state employees by calling on the State to come to the bargaining table with fair contract proposals and end the posturing. It reads:
"Whereas Governor Shumlin deliberately pushing toward imposition of contracts with VSEA Executive Branch Units rather than working toward settlement shows serious disrespect for the collective bargaining process; and
Whereas Governor Shumlin deliberately failed to include a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA ) increase for State employees in its 2017 Budget Proposals and is thereby requesting the Legislature not honor nor even acknowledge the position of State workers; and
Whereas Governor Shumlin has been incrementally expanding the size of management while at the same time pushing front line workers to provide the same level of services with fewer resources; and"
Read this issue of Week In Action!
View the Week In Action Newsletter Archive!
Subscribe to Week In Action Here!
In this week’s issue:
