VSEA Awards First-Ever “Labor Hero” Award To Senator Anthony Pollina

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VSEA Awards First-Ever “Labor Hero” Award To Senator Anthony Pollina

The Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA)’s “Vermont Political Awareness Committee’s (VTPAC)” 20^th Anniversary Celebration at the Barre Granite Museum on Friday night, October 21, featured the presentation of the union’s first-ever “Labor Hero” award to Senator Anthony Pollina. Moving forward, the award will be officially named the “Anthony Pollina Labor Hero Award,” and VTPAC will award it annually to Vermont lawmakers and elected officials who go the extra mile to support public services and the Vermonters who provide them daily.

“Anthony Pollina has always been a true friend to state employees—and this was the case even before he was elected to serve in Montpelier—so the VSEA Board’s decision to create an award in his name was an easy one,” says VSEA Legislative Committee Chair Margaret Crowley, who mc’d Friday’s event. “It was an honor for VSEA to present the award to Senator Pollina. When he ran for governor in 2008, VSEA broke off and endorsed him because of his consistent and unwavering support and advocacy for Vermont workers—especially state employees. Anthony is a true fighter. He’s not afraid to stand with state employees to prevent an ill-advised privatization effort or an attempt to balance Vermont’s budget by cutting essential services and the state employees who provide them. VSEA members owe Senator Pollina a debt of gratitude, and this award is one small token of our appreciation.”

After accepting the award on Friday night, Senator Pollina, who was introduced by his good friend and colleague Sen. David Zuckeman, delivered an impassioned speech to the assembled crowd about the importance of organized labor and the need for lawmakers to support the movement and tens of thousands of Vermont workers and their issues. Pollina pledged to continue fighting as hard as he can to ensure working Vermonters are treated fairly, with the dignity and respect they have earned.

Pollina was the night’s guest of honor​, but VTPAC also acknowledged five other lawmakers for their state employee advocacy, including Senator Kevin Mullin and Representatives Johanna Donovan, Susan Hatch Davis, Paul Poirier and Tommy Walz.  

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