VSEA members and retirees certainly have a lot to get off their chests these days, so why not join other Vermont workers on May 1 at the State House in Montpelier to raise awareness about state employee issues and fights and to support other groups of Vermont workers in their fights. More info here.
VSEA Files Unfair Labor Practice, Alleging State Bargained in Bad Faith With Three Executive Branch Units
VSEA filed an unfair labor practice Thursday morning with the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB), calling out the State of Vermont for bargaining in bad faith with VSEA’s Non-Management, Corrections and Supervisory Units.
VSEA filed an unfair labor practice Thursday morning with the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB), calling out the State of Vermont for bargaining in bad faith with VSEA’s Non-Management, Corrections and Supervisory Units.
The charge sets forth a pattern of the State merely going through the motions, engaging in surface bargaining by making predictably unacceptable bargaining proposals, violating ground rules, insisting on waivers of bargaining rights, and other improper conduct—all with the intent to avoid a negotiated agreement so the contract could be decided by the VLRB at the Last Best Offer stage of the impasse proceedings.
In addition, the State used the appointment of a new Board member to gain an unfair strategic advantage during the final stages, withholding information about the appointment and then successfully maneuvering to seat the new appointee the day before the hearing.
VSEA is requesting the Board find that the State of Vermont has committed and continues to commit unfair labor practices in violation of 3 V.S.A. §§961(1) and (6); order it to negotiate in good faith until the parties reach agreement or a valid impasse; and further order the State to refrain from implementing the terms of the Last Best Offer adopted by the Board on March 30, 2018.
VTDigger published a story on April 19 about VSEA’s unfair labor practice charge against the State for “bad-faith bargaining.” In the piece, the chair of the Senate Economic Development Committee says a hearing in his committee on the O’Neill confirmation could happen as soon as early next week. Once a hearing date in the Senate Economic Development Committee is announced, VSEA will be sending out an alert(s) and will be posting updates to its Facebook and web pages. Members and retirees will be welcome to attend the hearing.
The Committee’s vote will serve as a recommendation to the full Senate, which will then vote as a body on Ms. O’Neill. VSEA will be requesting a voice vote to record each Senator’s vote.
VSEA Judiciary Unit Reaches Tentative Two-Year Agreement With Courts
At the end of a long but productive Tuesday, VSEA’s Judiciary Unit Bargaining Team and the Court Administrator tentatively agreed to a new, two-year contract that will mirror the wage and benefit package just imposed on the VSEA Executive Branch Bargaining Teams.
The Team did achieve some impressive gains at the table, including:
First-time hourly pay of 60 cents for "Relief from Abuse" stand-by assignments, starting in year two; and
Improvements to overtime and to the Unit’s designated education and development fund.
Unit and Team Chair Margaret Crowley is thanking the Team and all Judiciary Unit members for their solidarity throughout a months-long, tough process.
The Judiciary Bargaining Team sent a comprehensive overview of the tentative agreement this morning to Unit members.
Judiciary Unit members will vote soon on the tentative agreement.
Judiciary Members: The VSEA Judiciary Unit Bargaining Team sent an update to Judiciary members this morning with more details about the agreement. This information will be posted to VSEA.org this afternoon. If you are a Judiciary member who did not receive the email this morning, you can log into your VSEA.org account to view it here.
Deadline Fast Approaching To Apply For A 2018 VSEA Scholarship!
The deadline to apply for a 2018 VSEA Scholarship is Tuesday, May 8, and VSEA members and their spouses, dependents and domestic partners are welcome to submit an application.
VSEA Campaign To Stop O’Neill Confirmation Continues
VSEA is thanking members, retirees and supporters for your collective outreach this week to Vermont Senators to voice your opposition to the confirmation of retired corporate attorney Karen O’Neill to the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB).
On Wednesday, members of the VSEA Legislative Committee were at the State House to personally lobby senators to vote “no” on the O’Neill confirmation. They were also distributing flyers with details about Ms. O’Neill’s work history and the flawed VLRB process, working to educate lawmakers who are still acquainting themselves with all that happened here. At noon, the legislature’s “Workers’ Caucus” met, and VSEA Legislative Committee members were in the room to lobby against O’Neill’s confirmation and to request lawmakers’ support. The Committee obliged by promising to draft a letter to the full Senate, registering its objection to Ms. O’Neill being confirmed. WIA will share the letter with members and retirees, once VSEA receives a copy.
VSEA is aware that some Senators are replying to members and retirees that even if the body votes “no” on O’Neill’s confirmation, the State can just reappoint. VSEA’s legal team is reviewing existing case law involving Vermont’s appointment process, but the truth is there is not much to draw from, in terms of confirmations being rejected. There is, however, a particular sentence in statue that stipulates confirmations be done “with the advice and consent of the Senate.” This could set up a potential for the Senate to say “no,” and then have the State thumb its nose at its “advice and consent” and do it anyway. More to come on this in future WIAs.
For now, keep the “Stop the O’Neill Confirmation” calls, emails and personal messages to your Senator(s) coming.
Vermont NEA Stands In Solidarity With VSEA Members To Stop O’Neill Confirmation
In an email message to its membership this week, the Vermont National Education Association included the following:
We Stand With VSEA In Opposition to Scott Nominee for Labor Board
[The State]’s nominee to be the neutral on the Vermont Labor Relations Board is anything but: Karen O’Neill’s background is as a corporate attorney. She has not been confirmed by the Senate yet, but, under Vermont law, she was able to take part in the recent VLRB decision that went against our sisters and brothers at the Vermont State Employees Association. We urge, along with VSEA members, that the senate reject her confirmation because she is clearly not a “neutral.” Indeed, she has been a shareholder in Gravel & Shea, a management law firm that boasts: “In both the public and private sectors, we have successfully defeated union organizing drives.” Let’s help VSEA block this terrible nominee. Let your senators know that you want them to vote “NO” when it comes to O’Neill’s confirmation. You can leave a message for your senators by dialing the Statehouse at 802-828-2228. You can find out direct contact information for your senators here. And read more from VSEA right here.
Labor Relations Director Emailing Contract Summary
To NMU, Corrections & Supervisory Unit Members’ Home Emails
Later this afternoon, VSEA Labor Relations Director Gary Hoadley is emailing his comprehensive summary of the contract recently imposed on VSEA members belonging to the Non-Management, Corrections and Supervisory Bargaining Units. Hoadley’s email is being sent to members’ home email addresses, but it can also be found on VSEA’s website by visiting vsea.org
The VSEA Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital Chapter is holding its next meeting on Monday, April 23, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in VPCH’s Special Events Room, located in Berlin. One primary discussion will be about the recent VLRB decision, how it came about and what the ramifications are.
Please direct any questions or comments to VSEA VPCH Chapter President Jason Rushlow, via email at jason.rushlow@vermont.gov.
Organizer’s Worksite Meeting On April 24 In Montpelier
VSEA Organizer Carmen Scoles is holding a meeting on April 24 with VSEA members working in Montpelier. The meeting begins at 12:00 p.m. in the large fourth floor conference room, located at the National Life Building in Montpelier. There will be pizza for members attending. A contract update will be provided, and there will be a discussion about the Janus lawsuit’s progress to date.
Members with questions can contact Carmen by email (cscoles@vsea.org) or by phone at 802-223-5247.
The VSEA Bennington Chapter is holding its next meeting on Tuesday, April 24, beginning at 5:15 p.m. in the Back Room of Catamount Glass’ Tap House, located at 309 County Street in Bennington. Limited light appetizers and cash bar. Chapter President Victoria Thorpe is fired up and hopes you are too!
Organizer’s Worksite Meeting On April 25 In Middlesex
VSEA Organizer David Oppenheimer is holding a meeting on April 25 with VSEA members working in Middlesex. The meeting begins at 12:00 p.m. at the BGS Print Shop Building, located at 1078 U.S. Route 2 in Middlesex. There will be pizza for members attending. A contract update will be provided, and there will be a discussion about the Janus lawsuit’s progress to date.
Members with questions can contact David by email (doppenheimer@vsea.org) or by phone at 802-223-5247.
VSEA Organizer Carmen Scoles is holding a meeting on April 26 with VSEA members working in Barre. The meeting begins at 12:00 p.m. in the City Place Building’s Conference Room 304, located at 219 North Main Street in Barre. There will be pizza for members attending. A contract update will be provided, and there will be a discussion about the Janus lawsuit’s progress to date.
Members with questions can contact Carmen by email (cscoles@vsea.org) or by phone at 802-223-5247.
VSEA Brattleboro Chapter President Robin Rieske and other Chapter members will be staffing a Green-Up Day member-volunteer table on Saturday morning, May 5, at the corner of Elm and Elliot Streets in Brattleboro.
VSEA members are welcome to stop by the table from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to pick up some collection bags and some VSEA giveaway items. Donuts served!
VSEA Bennington Chapter Presidnet, Victoria Thopre is announcing a Chapter meeting on April 24. The meeting will be held at The Tap House at Catamount Glass (309 County Street, Bennington) from 5:15 to
7:30 p.m.
"The Democratic Party is a champion of labor rights, except where its own laborers are concerned," reads the sign-on letter for the Campaign Workers Guild. "We sacrifice our health, financial security, and leisure time to support candidates and movements that we hope will make our society more prosperous, equitable, and inclusive. It’s time for our employers to live up to the values they publicly espouse."
The CWG, which launched in February independently of any larger union, has so far organized 12 campaigns and progressive entities, with the ultimate goal of having a Democratic Party-wide collective bargaining agreement, as well as one for Republicans.
While the CWG declined to say how many campaigns they’ve tried to unionize or discuss ongoing efforts, they acknowledged encountering resistance from progressive candidates and organizations.
Note: Certainly, Vermont Democratic candidates will be on board, especially Senator Sanders, right?
VSEA members have not forgotten that improvements still need to be made right here in Vermont to bolster safety for frontline state employees at the workplace and in the field.
Illinois state employees are also actively lobbying for enhanced safety measures after a DCF employee was beaten to death last fall by a client. State lawmakers aren’t wasting any time responding.
Sen. Michael Hastings, a Tinley Park Democrat, wants attention paid to violence against other state workers.
His legislation, which moved to the Senate floor after committee approval Tuesday, would require DCFS and the Departments of Corrections, Human Services and Juvenile Justice to record and issue quarterly reports of violent incidents against state workers so officials may review the data for scope and trends. It has the backing of the state’s largest public sector union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
They’re Back… Koch Brothers Funding Campaign To Discredit Teacher Strikes
Recognizing that teachers nationwide are mostly prevailing after taking to the streets to protest declining budgets, deteriorating school conditions, low pay and minimal benefits, the infamous, anti-union Koch brothers have produced a 66-page “messaging guide” filled with “anti-teacher and anti-union talking points.”
In the past the State Policy Network (SPN) initiatives have included PR campaigns and a plan to “defund and defang” public sector unions. As the middle class in American declines, these anti-union billionaires are doing everything they can to kill unions and reduce wages for the average American.
Now it is turning its attention to the striking teachers and is attempting to harm them and prevent them from receiving the pay they are entitled to.
The SPN document urges its followers to attack the teacher walkouts in a stealth manner, and not to attack them directly.
Workers across America have the right to belong to a labor union, largely in part because of the battles our ancestors waged, often at huge cost, to procure it and, subsequently, the wages and benefits that come with union membership.
The miners at first thought the Guard was sent to protect them, and greeted its arrival with flags and cheers. They soon found out the Guard was there to destroy the strike. The Guard brought strikebreakers in under cover of night, not telling them there was a strike. Guardsmen beat miners, arrested them by the hundreds, rode down with their horses parades of women in the streets of Trinidad, the central town in the area. And still the miners refused to give in. When they lasted through the cold winter of 1913-1914, it became clear that extraordinary measures would be needed to break the strike.
In April 1914, two National Guard companies were stationed in the hills overlooking the largest tent colony of strikers, the one at Ludlow, housing a thousand men, women and children. On the morning of April 20, a machine gun attack began on the tents. The miners fired back. Their leader was lured up into the hills to discuss a truce, then shot to death by a company of National Guardsmen. The women and children dug pits beneath the tents to escape the gunfire. At dusk, the Guard moved down from the hills with torches, set fire to the tents, and the families fled into the hills; thirteen people were killed by gunfire.
Note: With the impending Janus ruling, it’s important to remind ourselves of the sacrifices our ancestors and our retirees made to ensure America’s workers and Vermont state employees are treated fairly while at work and compensated adequately for their service. Your right to belong to a labor union did not come without a cost.
April 23 Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital Chapter Meeting
VPCH
Special Events Room
Berlin
1:30 p.m.
April 24 Organizer’s Meeting: Montpelier
National Life
Large Fourth Floor Conference Room
1 National Life Drive
Montpelier
12:00 p.m.
April 24 Bennington Chapter Meeting
Tap House @ Catamount Glass
Back Room
309 County Street
Bennington
5:15 p.m.
April 25 VSCSF Executive Committee Meeting
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.
April 25 Organizer’s Meeting: Middlesex
BGS Print Shop
1078 U.S. Route 2
Middlesex
12:00 p.m.
April 26 Organizer’s Meeting: Barre
Barre City Place
219 North Main Street
Barre
12:00 p.m.
April 27 OCS Labor / Management Committee Meeting
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
8:00 a.m.
April 27 Training: Diversity
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.
Contact Your Union
Communication between Union members and Union leaders is important for a strong organization. Click the links below to find VSEA contact information for each category:
You can find this page on VSEA.org by navigating to "Forms, Documents & Downloads" in the main menu and then clicking, "Download VSEA Flyers"
VSEA Legislative Team Weekly Updates
VSEA’s legislative team at the State House is now publishing a short, information-packed, weekly recap of what’s happening in Montpelier that VSEA members need to know about.
Proposals should reference the number, section, sub-section, etc. of the bylaw you would like to change. You should also include the language you want to add, delete or substitute. Also include the reason(s) you are making this proposal. Example: “Bylaw 0 A (1) (b) Change: Monday to Sunday. Reason: Makes it easier to work with the calendar.”
Please be sure the changes you are recommending include all Articles and/or Bylaws that may be affected by the proposed change.
VSEA Urges State Employees Who Are Threatened On The Job To File Form
After leading a successful training last week for VSEA stewards, VSEA Field Services Director Gretchen Naylor asked WIA to remind all VSEA members that there is an online form to fill out if you are threatened while at work. Naylor said promoting the form and its link is something several stewards said would be useful.
Important: Once you land on the eAlert page, you will see an entry labeled “threat” in the menu provided. Click on it and you land on a page with written instructions, but the form’s actual entry fields are located in a menu in the page’s left-hand column.
In November 2017, the current Secretary of the Administration sent the State’s “Workplace Safety and Security” policy to state employees and VSEA members are encouraged to read through the different policies, examples and responses, prior to an actual event occurring. Oddly, the policy does not include a reference to the State’s eAlert online reporting function.
It’s Time! Please Donate Today To Your Unit Sick Leave Bank
Donations Being Accepted
April 1 To June 30
VSEA member Dawn Carrillo staffs the Non-Management Unit Sick Leave Bank, and she is once again asking WIA to help her solicit time donations to the bank from VSEA members. Carillo is also announcing that the donation period is April 1 to June 30, 2018, and she reminds that donations to the Corrections and Supervisory Unit Banks are also needed.
“Just donating an hour of your time can mean the world to a fellow employee,” reads a DHR flyer. It also informs state employees that they can donate any amount of annual- or personal-leave time to their respective Unit sick leave bank. “Know that you are performing a wonderful service by helping your friends and fellow employees, who, along with their families, are struggling due to serious health issues,” the flyer concludes.
“I want to thank every member for considering a donation to your Unit sick leave bank,” says VSEA President Dave Bellini. “Even if you only donate one hour to the bank, these one-hour donations add up. It’s so worthwhile because your donation is going to help a fellow state employee who is battling a serious illness.”
VSEA Council And Steward Facebook Groups
VSEA Council Members and/or VSEA Stewards can request to join these groups here:
Now Is The Time To Enroll In VSEA’s Popular Delta Dental Supplemental Plan Benefit
VSEA members should have received a letter and/or email by now, announcing a new, open-enrollment period to participate in your union’s very popular Delta Dental Supplemental Plan. The enrollment period is also when members already in the program can amend their number of dependents also using the program, if this number has changed in the past year.
All enrollment forms will be due back on a May 4, 2018.
Note: If you are already taking advantage of this benefit, and you have no changes this year to your coverage, you do not need to send back a new form, as you will be automatically renewed.
This information can be found on VSEA.org by navigating to the main menu and then selecting "Union Resources and Benefits". Then, click, "VSEA Insurance", and then, "Delta Dental".
If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact VSEA H.Q. via phone (802-223-5247) or email (vsea@vsea.org).
VSEA Insurance Benefits Enrollment
WIA was asked by VSEA Insurance Benefits Administrator, Joanne Woodcock, to include the following announcement:
Disability
Accident
Cancer
Hospital
Specified Health Event
Life Insurance
Payroll deducted
GREAT NEWS! We’ve been working hard to make it easier for VSEA members to sign up for our insurance benefits.
You can now enroll anytime just by making an appointment.
The sign up is done remotely using your computer and speaking to me over the phone.
A New VSEA Benefit – LifeLock Identity Theft Protection
VSEA members and retirees should have received a few week’s back announcing a new benefit to being a VSEA member. VSEA is pleased to announce best-in-class identity theft protection from lifelock!
From the email:
"We think your identity is worth protecting. LifeLock works to help protect your identity in a digitally-connected world. Protection from LifeLock helps safeguard your finances, credit and good name. Nowadays, that is more important than ever. Help protect your personal information by enrolling in LifeLock before April 30th to take advantage of special pricing being offered to VSEA employees."
If Searching For Child Care, Don’t Forget This Important Resource For State Employees
Longtime VSEA member, now retiree, Dave Clark has served on VSEA’s Child and Elder Care Committee for many years, and asked WIA to remind state employees about an important child-care resource that is currently available to them.
“The Committee has noticed a recent decline in employees’ usage of the valuable child-care resources available to them, so we asked WIA to help us remind VSEA members about what is available,” explains Clark.
Did you know?
The average VSEA member can save hundreds of dollars a year by taking advantage of some of the Members Only benefits offered through their union?
GET EXCLUSIVE OFFERS, DISCOUNTS & MORE
It’s free, just for being a Vermont State Employees’ Association PerksConnect member!
At the top of the Advantage Program page, click the link that says "Click Here To Log Into The New VSEA Advantage Program". This will redirect you to the new Advantage Program website. Please note this link will not work unless you are logged into your VSEA.org account first.
Select a category and start saving!
Present your VSEA union card, mobile device or printed coupons and offers at participating businesses and receive immediate discounts.
Don’t see what you are looking for?
Request a merchant by filling out the Vendor Information form here. Please note submissions are subject to approval.
VSEA’s Communications Department is happy to disseminate any and all communications the leadership, Chapters, Units, and others request, however, the lists the Department currently pull from are provided to the union by the State of Vermont. VSEA’s Communications Department has found the lists to be dated, incomplete and sometimes lacking key information that was entered by a VSEA staff person but later overwritten or deleted during a State data dump.
To help VSEA more effectively reach active members—and really all those members who want to know what’s going on in their union—VSEA will be working hard in the coming months to collect members’ emails on its own and begin to build contact lists that cannot be altered by a State download.
You can help us get started by clicking here and signing up for the VSEA communications you are interested in receiving.
Thank you in advance for subscribing. Please urge your colleagues to do the same.
Please help spread the word about VSEA news in your worksite by printing and posting a condensed version of Week In Action.
