The members of the Retired Employees Committee on Insurance (RECI) voted in November to oppose Governor Phil Scott’s proposal to force retired state employees into a Medicare Advantage scheme. RECI is a statutorily created joint committee that includes appointees of the Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA) and also appointees of Governor Phil Scott. Its specific purpose is to advise the Secretary of Administration.
“Retired state employees want nothing to do with Medicare Advantage,” says RECI Chairperson Dave Bellini. “We are urging the Governor to abandon his proposal outright, and we are already advising lawmakers to steadfastly oppose the Governor’s proposal if introduced,” adding emphatically, “Don’t force retirees into a plan they do not wish to participate in.”
Big thanks to AOT members John Dunbar and Iain Portalupi for decorating an AOT plow for the holiday season and for making an appearance at the 2022 tree lighting in Montpelier.
The truck is appropriately named Rudolph. Because AOT is being hit hard by understaffing, the agency is also using the truck as a recruitment tool.
At its meeting today, the VSEA Board of Trustees drafted and adopted a statement of support for America’s railroad workers, who were preparing to strike if not granted paid sick leave,
Here’s the statement:
The Board of Trustees of the Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA) is appalled by the decision of the U.S. Senate to impose a contract on thousands of railroad workers who wanted nothing more than paid sick leave. Most VSEA Board members remember when state employees had a contract imposed on us. We know the anger and disgust these workers are feeling today, and we stand strongly in solidarity with our railroad brothers and sisters nationwide.
The Senate’s vote to impose a contract and deny the railroad workers’ right to strike was a win for the boss, plain and simple. The railroad companies have been enjoying exceptional profits yet are unwilling to share that success with the workers who actually keep the trains on track. In a day and age when more and more young Americans are gravitating to the labor movement, this terrible move by Congress smacks in the face of the Democratic Party’s alleged support for the American worker.
