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“The Shumlin Administration’s policy of ‘look the other way’ shouldn’t apply to the contract between the State and VSEA. Simply put, VSEA believes the Administration’s stance on this issue is misguided and contrary to the spirit of the State Employee Labor Relations Act. VSEA won’t get to decide the outcome of this matter and neither will the State. If the State’s interpretation of the emergency closure provision in the contract is correct then State officials have nothing to worry about should this case reach the Labor Board. To single out people for exercising their legal rights is an affront to fairness. From the highest level of government, people are being asked not to exercise their contractual rights – the same rights that union members are fighting to protect in Wisconsin, Ohio and across the country. Governor Shumlin defended these rights when he testified against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on Capital Hill. I’m calling on the Administration to end this war of words and let this matter be settled at the Labor Board where it belongs.”  

"Union officials reiterated that the state must send relocation notices to union members in order to avoid double-time pay. ‘Our position from Day 1 was, let’s avoid the added burden on taxpayers by doing it right,’” Michael Casey said.

“By law we have a duty to fairly represent our members if the state has engaged in activities resulting in members not receiving compensation they’re entitled to,” added Casey. “We don’t have choice, we have to pursue it. We were contacted by employees who said they were entitled to compensation.”

"Secretary of State Jim Condos, who took office in January, developed the idea after hearing from public officials about the lack of training or understanding about Vermont’s open government laws covering public records and open meetings."

Given the number of high-profile public records’ lawsuits VSEA has filed in recent years (remember Marshal86?), members are urged to become more familiar with Vermont’s open gov’t laws and then use what you learn to help your union craft new ones as needed.

"Everybody I talk to talks about the state office building," said Waterbury Selectboard Chairwoman Rebecca Ellis. "This is a critical juncture in the history of Waterbury."

"[BGS Deputy Commissioner Tom] Sandretto said the latest estimate is that it will cost around $25 million to accomplish a basic ‘stabilization’ of the buildings in the complex. Earlier officials had estimated it would cost $17 million-$20 million."

State Also Investigating Alleged Theft Of State Property By Contractors