VSEA Press Release Congratulating Governor-Elect Shumlin
“VSEA members do feel like it’s a new day for Vermont’s quality public services and for Vermont state employees.”
VSEA Congratulates Governor-Elect Peter Shumlin
Union Welcomes New Administration’s Approach To Vermont’s Ongoing Budget Crisis
Still reeling from years of deep cuts by the Douglas Administration to Vermont’s quality public services—and its state workforce—Vermont State Employees Association (VSEA) President Bob Hooper says state employees are looking forward to finally having a boss who wants to work with VSEA and who will genuinely listen to the ideas state employees have to save Vermont money.
“VSEA congratulates Governor-Elect Shumlin on his election,” said Hooper. “His narrow victory speaks volumes to the importance of VSEA’s months-long, grassroots, get-out-the-vote effort on Peter’s behalf,” adding, “Just days after he received our endorsement, VSEA members were signing up to phone bank, leaflet, collate mailings and knock on doors for Peter—and our members continued their full-court press right up to election day. Today, thanks to their hard work—and the hard work of many other working Vermonters—state employees will finally have a real seat at the table and a friend in the governor’s office.”
Hooper pointed to one specific idea promoted by Governor-Elect Shumlin on the campaign trail as one of the primary reasons for VSEA members’ optimism that this governor won’t rely solely on service and position cuts to solve Vermont’s ongoing budget crisis.
“Across Vermont, Peter talked a lot about scaling back all the private contractors hired by Governor Douglas, and that kind of action could save our state tens of millions of dollars,” explained Hooper. “This is an idea VSEA has been promoting for years, but instead of seriously looking into the costs, the Douglas Administration dismissed our argument and cut services and jobs instead.”
“VSEA members do feel like it’s a new day for Vermont’s quality public services and for Vermont state employees,” ended Hooper.
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