VSEA.org

VSEA DOC Chair Dave Bellini asked VSEA to express his thanks publicly to DOC Commissioner Andy Pallito. Bellini praised Pallito for being true to his word and listening to VSEA members when they raised the need with him to eliminate the large number of temporary employees currently working in the DOC. Recently, Pallito informed DOC employees that 16 DOC temporary positions were being converted to permanent correctional officer positions, attributing the move to his desire to "enhance the safety and security of our institutions." Thanks Commissioner Pallito!

Governor announces he’d like:

• Dept. of Education employees to move to Barre;
• A large bulk of displaced 1,500 Waterbury employees to go back back to Waterbury; and
  
• ANR employees to relocate to National Life Building in Montpelier.
  

Governor doesn’t budge from his rigid cap on acute mental health beds at new, stand-alone facility.

VSEA Board of Trustees member Bob Stone reports that he and his family (and dogs) are all okay after a fire in their home.

On January 10, VSEA’s Elections, Rules and Nominating Committee members counted the contract ballots recently submitted by members of the union’s Defender General (DG) Unit. By unanimous vote, DG Unit members voted in favor of a new labor agreement that, in addition to Unit-specific issue improvements, awards them the same pay restitution and increases that NMU, Corrections and Supervisory Unit members are voting on.

"The number of Vermonters living in poverty has changed little in the last 40 years, moving from 12.1 percent in 1969 to 11.5 percent two years ago. State government has failed to effectively address this and other economic disparities, according to a report from Vermont Interfaith Action presented Monday to four lawmakers and Secretary of Administration Jeb Spaulding."