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“I’ll believe it when I see it,” [VSEA Board and Benefits Advisory Committee Member Dave] Bellini said of the proposed savings [from switching providers]. “How much cheaper was Blue Cross’ bid? Did we see it in writing?” 

Notes: The switch comes the same year state employees enjoyed three premium holidays. VSEA representatives voted to stay with Cigna but they were defeated by others in the room with a vote.

Winners of the following awards will be announced at VSEA’s 69th Annual Meeting on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Jay Peak Resort:

Mazza Award
Macaig Award
Chapter of the Year
Steward of the Year
Linda Coan Award

Cast your vote today!

Timothy Harrington died tragically in an August 19 car crash. He was a 17-year DOC Corrections Officer who worked at the Northeast State Correctional Facility. VSEA sends its heartfelt condolences to Brother Harrington’s family, friends and co-workers.

“I am very pleased that CMS found the Vermont Veterans’ Home ‘in compliance’ and that federal funding will not be withdrawn from that facility,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I). 

Congratulations (once again) to the Vets’ Home frontline nurses and caregivers! You make the Vets’ Home work.

Steve Howard, [Legislative Director] for VSEA, says the union surveyed members, canvassed 70 members in a door-to-door campaign and put out lawn signs to “call attention to the crisis.” The administration, he said, came under public pressure and wanted to squelch the union’s activities.

“We did everything in our power to have nurses be heard by management,” Howard said. “There was a tendency for people to want to sweep it under the rug. We said these folks, these frontline workers at Vermont Veterans’ Home, are not going away, they are experiencing a crisis.