VSEA.org

“Outside of possibly staffing a new 15-bed facility, there is really no mention in the plan of what will happen to a majority of hundreds of existing VSH caregivers,” said [VSEA Director Mark] Mitchell. “And the [VSH] caregivers believe—as does VSEA—that they are really the only Vermonters with the specific training and experience needed to provide the highest level of therapeutic care to these particular patients with the most severely acute mental health diagnoses in the state."

Monday, December 19
Montpelier
Unitarian Church, 130 Main St.
5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, December 21
White River Junction
Hotel Coolidge, 39 S. Main St.
5:00 p.m.

"It is time to stop playing defense against the often absurd and always misguided attacks on public employees. There are alternatives to austerity. All that we need is the political will to demand them."

Note: Dr. Friedman is also an economic advisor for VSEA bargaining teams

Election officially confirms BISHCA employee John Reese as new VSEA President!  Other newly elected officials include:

Shelley Martin – First Vice President
Jeff Briggs – Second Vice President
Tracey Tapley – Clerk
Lucas Herring – Treasurer

"The workers insisted they are not just out to save their jobs, but to preserve a high quality of care for people who need it. The alternative is likely to be an increase in Vermont’s mentally ill residents showing up in its prisons, as has happened in other states that close psychiatric hospitals, they said. ‘Corrections actually will be where many of these people will go,’ Malloy said. ‘The Los Angeles County Jail is the largest psychiatric facility in the country.’"