VSEA.org

VSEA Bargaining Teams Negotiate FMLI For All State Employees

It’s Time To File Group Requests For Reclassification (RFRs)

It’s A VSEA Officer Election Year!

Local Paper Drills Down On Allegations Against State’s Attorney John Lavoie

VSEA First Vice President Sends June Council Warn

Meet The VSEA Bargaining Teams

VSEA Elections, Rules & Nominating Committee Seeks Interested Members

Find Your Balance! Quarter 2 Runs Through June 30th – Get Started Today!

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Retired Teachers’ Pension Fund Database Hacked!

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American Workers Stressing About Finances

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The Department of Human Resources (DHR) recently emailed all state employees about the new, “no premium cost” Family Medical Leave Insurance benefit being available to eligible employees on July 1. This is good news, for sure, but what is missing from DHR’s announcement is any acknowledgment of the role VSEA Bargaining Teams played to ensure the premium cost would not be paid by the employee.

“This benefit is the result of VSEA Bargaining Teams negotiating it with the State in 2019, and it was disappointing to not see any mention of it in DHR’s email,” explains VSEA President Aimee Towne. “I urge VSEA members to join me in thanking our VSEA Bargaining Team members for their role in making family and medical leave accessible to thousands of state employees and their families.”

VSEA Bargaining Teams

Learn More About VT FMLI Program

Note: VSEA still strongly supports a universal program for all Vermonters.

Governor Scott vetoed lawmakers 2024 proposed state budget this week, setting the stage for an override vote. If an override vote fails, and no budget deal is reached by July 1, state government will shut down; a result that can hopefully be avoided. The primary sticking point appears to be lawmakers desire to continue funding a state-run motel program for Vermont’s homeless population. 

From a story this week posted to VTDigger:

Lawmakers are set to reconvene June 20 to take up any vetoed legislation, facing a compressed timeline to act. The new fiscal year begins July 1. An override requires support from at least two-thirds of the members present in each chamber. 

“With one-time money subtracted, the Legislature’s budget and the Governor’s differ by about three percent — with nearly all of that difference flowing to mental health, adult-days and other critical service providers,”  [Senate Pro Tem Philip] Baruth wrote in a statement issued shortly after the governor’s veto.

Note: VSEA’s legislative team, through WIA, social media, and other means, will keep members and retirees updated on any developments and let you know if any action is required. 

Hello VSEA Members & Retirees:

I am pleased to share this year’s legislative session report with you. Your VSEA legislative team did very well (with your support, of course), and I encourage you to review the report to learn what was secured this session as well as find out what lies ahead for VSEA members and retirees in the second half of the biennial session in 2024.

The VSEA team wants to thank every member and retiree who, during the session, made a call, sent an email, had a face-to-face discussion, attended a legislative dinner or VSEA State House Day, testified at the State House, or sat in on a hearing. Your voices, opinions, and presence matter and are critical to our success.

A reminder that VSEA’s legislative agenda is determined each year by a committee of VSEA members and retirees. It’s called the Legislative Committee, and if you want to find out more about VSEA’s legislative process, or want to weigh in with an opinion or question, please contact a member of the VSEA Legislative Committee or email vsea@vsea.org.

Thank you again for all your help and support!!

Steve Howard
VSEA Executive Director

View The VSEA 2023 Legislative Session Report Here!

Greetings VSEA Members:

Do you want to get involved with the leadership of your union? One of the best ways to do so is to serve on the VSEA Board of Trustees. VSEA is now accepting petitions for the Officer positions listed below:

• VSEA President: Two-year term. Creates the agenda and conducts each VSEA Board of Trustees meeting. Creates the agenda and conducts the VSEA Annual Meeting. Works directly with the VSEA Board and VSEA Executive Director to steer VSEA. Appoints members and chairs for VSEA committees. Does not vote at VSEA Board of Trustees meetings and the VSEA Annual Meeting but instead acts as a tie-breaker.
   
• VSEA First Vice President: Two-year term. Creates the agenda and runs each VSEA Council meeting. Can appoint members to the VSEA Council. Does not vote at VSEA Council meetings but instead acts as a tie-breaker.
   
• VSEA Second Vice President: Two-year term. Acts as an alternate when the VSEA First Vice President is not available.
   
• VSEA Treasurer: Two-year term. Prepares the VSEA budget and presents it at each VSEA Board of Trustees meeting, Council meeting, and Annual Meeting.
   
• VSEA Clerk: Two-year term. Takes notes and prepares meeting minutes for VSEA Board of Trustees meetings, Council meetings, and VSEA Annual Meeting. Submits minutes to VSEA staff who post and distribute minutes to members.

Any member in good standing can run for an Officer position. If you are interested in running for a VSEA Board of Trustees’ seat there are two ways to do so. Learn more here!