VSEA.org – Page 78 – Vermont State Employees' Association

Uptick In COVID Cases Prompts VSEA President To Renew Call For Governor To Extend Telework Period For Eligible State Employees

November 12, 2021 1:25 pm

Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA) President Aimee Towne sent a letter today to Governor Scott, expressing VSEA members’ concerns about an acknowledged and alarming increase in the number of COVID cases across Vermont and renewing the union’s call for the Governor to extend the period eligible state employees may telework until the new year. Towne also poses a series of workforce and COVID questions to the Scott Administration in her letter, and she requests a face-to-face meeting.

“In addition to being scared for their own health and their family’s health, a lot of VSEA members who are back at the worksite are not comfortable with the way the Governor’s return to work directive is being managed, or, in some cases, mismanaged,” explains Towne. “As I wrote in my letter, state employees are Vermont’s most valuable resource, and we hope the Governor agrees and will meet with us as soon as possible.”

President Towne’s Letter

VSEA’s Week In Action Newsletter: November 5, 2021!

November 5, 2021 3:45 pm

State Employees Push Back Hard Against Touching Pensions

Scott Administration Rejects VSEA Request To Extend Work From Home Until January 1

VSEA Contact-Tracing Leave Grievance Pool Expands

SAO Unit Bargaining Surveys Due Tuesday!

Join The VSEA Legislative Committee

VSEA Chapter Fundraising Challenge Returns!

Open Enrollment For VSEA’s Delta Dental Supplemental Plan

VSEA Retiree Cautions Members & Retirees Who Use CGMs

Quote Of The Week!

Next Week’s Union Meetings And Events

Reminders:

2021-2022 Bolton Valley Partner Pass Added To The VSEA Advantage Program!

VSEA Diversity Committee Seeking Members

AOT Stewards Needed! Become A Worksite Steward Today!

View/Download Your Contract on VSEA.org

Solidarity Stories:

Maximus Workers Who Assist Public With Health Care Can’t Afford Health Care

John Deere Workers Reject Second Tentative Agreement

Kellogg’s Negotiations End With No Deal

30,000 Kaiser Workers Vote To Strike

Read The Full Newsletter Here

Subscribe To Week In Action Here

State Employees Push Back Hard Against Touching Pensions, Many Stressing The Need For Dedicated Revenue Stream

November 2, 2021 4:37 pm

VSEA is thanking the members and retirees who took some time last night to testify to the State Pension Task Force at a public hearing on the Task Force’s interim report to legislators.

Lawmakers heard from frontline Health Care, Corrections, and other state employees, each describing the current work situation and many reminding how this fight is one that only adds to the stress of having to work with COVID threat. Several testifiers implored the Task Force to identify a dedicated revenue stream to ensure the pension funds are funded.

The Task Force next meets on November 3.

Watch A Recording Of The November 1 Hearing On YouTube

Visit the Task Force’s Webpage

WPTZ Story On Hearing

Scott Administration Rejects VSEA Request To Extend Work From Home Until January 1

November 2, 2021 12:43 pm

The Rutland Herald reports today on VSEA President Aimee Towne’s recent letter to the Scott Administration, requesting the work-from-home period be extended to January 1, 2022.

From the story:

VSEA Executive Director Steve Howard said this was the first time the union had weighed in on the issue. The VSEA had hoped to have more conversations with the Scott administration.“What we’re hearing from members is a real concern for the public’s health, for their health, the health of their families, and a lot of questions about what happens with schools and kids, if kids are sent home to quarantine what do you do if there’s no child care?” he said.

He noted that other state worker groups have decided to push back the in-office date.

Attorney General T.J. Donovan said Monday he was planning to have his people back in the office by September but chose to delay it, only to look at the case counts in mid-October and decide that waiting until 2022 was best.