VSEA.org

Pass S. 154! Bill Increases Penalty For Assaulting A Social Worker And Criminalizes Threats To DCF Workers

February 4, 2016  2:29 pm

Yesterday, VSEA Social Worker Trissie Casanova was back at the State House, testifying in support of S. 154; legislation that will enhance the penalties for assaulting a DCF worker and criminalize the act of making threats.

This needs to happen, and Casanova’s testimony yesterday explains why:

“I personally have been threatened to be killed, my building blown up, I’ve had people waiting for me outside by my car. I’ve had things sent to my personal home. I have been personally sued for doing my job. And I know I’m not the only person that’s experienced these things.”

Thanks to Trissie and all the VSEA members who have been coming to the State House to make their case for enhanced safety protections while at work.

We Are Sobel Strong!

Read the full VTDigger story here

Privatize Vermont’s Risk Management Division?

February 4, 2016  1:43 pm

Nearly a dozen Vermont state employees working in the State’s Risk Management Division recently learned that their service has been put out to bid to private, for-profit vendors, some located out of state. The bids are due February 26, and the jobs of the seasoned VSEA members who provide Workers’ Compensation, Liability and Security services are at risk.

• Here’s just a few of the reasons the workers want to keep their services public:
• Workers represent more than 100 years of combined and specialized knowledge;

• Workers are the ones helping state employees get back to work after suffering a work illness or injury;
• Workers are “Vermonters serving Vermonters,” and they know the people they serve;
• Workers know state worksites and the nature of state employee work, across the board; and
• Workers understand the system’s challenges and how best to navigate them.

Continue Reading…

Spread The Message! Vermont State Employees Deserve A Fair Contract Now!

February 3, 2016  5:19 pm

VSEA members belonging to three of the union’s largest bargaining units (Non-Management, Corrections & Supervisory) and the union’s Judiciary Unit are in very difficult negotiations right now with the Shumlin Administration and the Court Administrator. For the first time in three contract cycles, VSEA’s big three Units are in front a fact finder because of the State’s hardball tactics and, frankly, a lot of bad proposals. This after years of the Administration’s cuts to services and positions, numerous botched multi-million-dollar IT project failures, documented abuse of sole-source contracting with private vendors and other examples of financial mismanagement across state government. Very few the fault of VSEA frontline workers.