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.
Last month, VSEA launched the first-ever Will Wells Memorial Food Drive Challenge, inviting VSEA members in Chapters statewide to participate by raising as much money as possible between now and December 31 for the Vermont Foodbank. There is still one more month remaining! Which VSEA Chapter will win this year’s Food Drive Challenge bragging rights?
The total amount of money VSEA donated to the Foodbank in 2021 was $7,000, and VSEA’s Chittenden Chapter raised the most for the second year in a row! Will they win again for the third year in a row?
“Commissioners came forward, one by one for 15 minutes each Tuesday, to go over their budget requests for the next two years and were consistently asked what are the biggest challenges they face.
While concerns such as supply chain issues, inflationary costs, interest rates, huge utility increases, and post-COVID-19 realities have been identified, staffing level concerns were almost universal.”