Unions bargaining new contracts in the first three quarters of 2015 did pretty well, the AFL-CIO says in a new report. Using data from a Bloomberg BNA analysis of contract settlements, the federation said that new contracts provided a weighted-average first-year raise of four percent (including lump sum payments), an increase from the 2.9 percent increase in 2014. “The final 2015 weighted average first-year wage increase could surpass 4.2 percent, the highest weighted average since 2001,” the federation said.
Meanwhile in Vermont, three VSEA Bargaining Units (representing thousands of state employees across Vermont, like the AOT members pictured here) remain in tough negotiations with the State on new successor agreements. It’s the first time in three contract cycles (under the current Governor) that VSEA members have been forced in front of a fact finder to plead their case.
Just when you think the State and lawmakers would be bending over backwards to ensure federal and state dollars are being spent the way intended, and that each dollar is accounted for, comes this disturbing Burlington Free Press story about AOE employee Jacqui Carlomagno, who says she was fired for reporting what she believed to be improper dispensing of federal grant dollars. She went to the Auditor’s Office with her allegations, and an investigation was conducted. The Auditor’s finding’s supported Ms. Carlomagno’s claims.
Jacqui Carlomagno is now suing the State in Washington Superior Court, claiming retaliation for whistleblowing.
VSEA wishes Jacqui all the best in her upcoming case. A wrong to one is a wrong to all.
VSEA members belonging to the Non-Management Unit have been sending in pictures of themselves all week. In the photos, members are holding signs of many sizes and shapes, each with a message for State contract negotiators. The NMU members were responding to a request from Unit leaders to demonstrate their solidarity by wearing green and snapping a photo-of-support on January 11, which was the NMU Bargaining Team’s first day of fact finding.
The response was terrific. So much so, in fact, the Communications Department has produced videos that feature some and all and all of the photos submitted. Because the number of photos from AOT workers was so great, a special video featuring just them is also part of the mix.
To view VSEA’s Facebook page, featuring the videos and more photos, click here!
