Week In Action Not Publishing Next Week!
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| WIA is taking a short break next week and will publish next on August 23. Please review the calendar to see events happening next week and the following week. |
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2019 Annual Meeting WARN Emailed To Members This Week
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All VSEA members and retirees should have received an email on August 2 from headquarters that included a link to view the 2019 VSEA Annual Meeting WARN, or the annual publication containing the Annual Meeting main agenda, Unit meeting agendas, the FY2020 operations budget proposal, proposed bylaw changes to be voted on at the meeting and other relevant announcements.
VSEA is requesting that all members and retirees who are attending this year’s Annual Meeting on September 14 at the Okemo Resort in Ludlow please print out this publication and bring it with you to the meeting. VSEA will have a limited number of publications on hand but, if you are able, please print it out on your end. Thanks in advance!
Your Annual Meeting WARN was sent to the primary email address that VSEA currently has on file for you. If you do not recall receiving an email from VSEA headquarters on August 23, please look in your “Other” or “Spam” folders before contacting headquarters to request a copy. You can update your contact information here anytime.
Didn’t Receive Your WARN?
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VSEA Renews Call For Improved Employee Safety On Fourth Anniversary Of Lara Sobel’s Murder
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| August 7 marked the fourth anniversary of the tragic murder of social worker and VSEA member Lara Sobel, who was shot by a client just outside the office building in Barre where she worked.
Since Sobel’s death, VSEA leaders and members have continued to hammer State officials and lawmakers to seriously address state employees’ workplace safety concerns, but, according to VSEA President Dave Bellini, while some small, incremental steps to improve safety have been taken in certain departments and agencies, much more remains to be done.
Here’s a statement President Bellini provided to WIA:
"After Lara Sobel was tragically killed leaving her work, VSEA members honestly expected a robust response from the State, but a lot of VSEA members tell me that the pace of improvements they see is glacial, both by this administration and the last one.
Much more work remains to be done. VSEA Judiciary workers continue to ask for improved safety in Vermont’s courts, and then there’s the communication breakdown after a recent bomb threat in St. Albans. Several employees where it happened told me management’s communication to them about the incident was pretty much non-existent. I’ve also heard about a known, serious threat recently coming to a state office building in Springfield and banging on a thankfully locked door, demanding entry. Employees say they were pretty much on their own when deciding how to confront the situation. This isn’t right.
These are just a few examples of all the safety issues that remain out there to be addressed, and I promise you VSEA and its members will not stop lobbying for increased funding and resources to create a work environment that guarantees another Lara Sobel tragedy never happens. We owe it to Lara, her colleagues and all state workers to never stop fighting on this issue–and we won’t." |
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Executive Branch Bargaining Teams Sit Down With State
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| VSEA’s Non-Management, Corrections and Supervisory Unit Bargaining Teams sat down for the first time across the table from State negotiators on August 6, and Labor Relations Director Gary Hoadley is sharing a meeting summary on VSEA’s website.
The summary is in the "Members Only" section of VSEA.org. Only registered users can view. Register Here
After logging in to VSEA.org, registered members can navigate to the "Members Only" drop-down menu, located in the homepage’s left-hand column. You can expand a drop-down from there and select "Negotiation Notes From VSEA Director of Labor Relations Gary Hoadley" or you can click "Member-Only Documents" and then on the following page, click the same heading.
Negotiation Notes: August 6, 2019
Log-in Required |
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Annual Meeting Registration Ends Today!
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| What Is VSEA Annual Meeting?
Each September, VSEA invites members to attend the union’s most important event of the year; its Annual Meeting. At the meeting, there is discussion about VSEA’s operating budget, legislative priorities and many of the other issues impacting VSEA members and your services. Often, these discussions and debates are followed by a vote by the full body, and every active VSEA member in attendance gets a vote.
VSEA also hosts a barbeque the night before Annual Meeting, offering members an opportunity to network with colleagues and fellow union members in an informal setting. In addition, prizes and VSEA swag will be awarded to some lucky members attending this year’s Annual Meeting.
Your Union’s 75th Annual Meeting Is Being Held Saturday, September 14 At Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow Vermont! We hope you can make it!
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| Friday Evening BBQ Notice!
A reminder for those members attending the Friday evening, September 13, barbecue at West Hill Recreation Park to please bring lawn chairs. Thank you!
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This year the following exhibitors will be attending Annual Meeting:
- Liberty Mutual Insurance Company – Joan Hoose
- Augeo – Paul Phillips
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Bobby Arnell
- M3 Technology, LLC – Paul McNally
- NE Delta Dental – Sarah Thayer
- R.K. Tongue Insurance – Tim Girard
- Union Now – Jim Flannigan
- Capitol City Kia – Brian Preston
- Biggam Fox & Skinner (Workers Comp Lawyers) – Heidi Groff
- NY Long Term Care Brokers –Erik Hukey
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VSEA Benefits Advisory Committee Update On Blue Cross Claims Issues
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| VSEA’s Board and Benefits Advisory Committee, via WIA, recently messaged VSEA members and retirees about issues with Blue Cross / Blue Shield’s claim process.
BAC Committee member Cindy Chornyak asked WIA to include this update this week, and we are happy to oblige.
Regarding the Blue Cross claims problems our health plan has experienced since January 1, 2019: We want members to know that your VSEA representatives have been working closely with the State on your behalf to get these issues resolved. In May of this year, through the Benefits Advisory Committee, VRSEA Trustees and the VSEA members sent a strongly worded letter to the Commissioner of Human Resources, citing the many claim problems that our plan members have encountered. We asked the State to assess the maximum performance penalties available under its contract with Blue Cross for the poor performance. And we are pleased to announce that to date in 2019, our health plan has assessed over $132,000 in performance penalties.
Recently VSEA learned of another newly discovered glitch in the Blue Cross claims system. Blue Cross has been assessing a $30 specialist co-pay for certain provider claims that should have a $25 regular co-pay instead. This can occur, for example, when a member sees a Nurse Practitioner instead of a doctor, which is fairly common these days. Our plan does not require that members choose a primary care physician. Claims by Nurse Practitioners or Physicians Assistants working with a physician should be covered the same as the physician’s claim.
The State Benefits Office has asked Blue Cross for a date certain by which this glitch will be fixed and for a complete rundown of all state health plan members who have been impacted since January 1, when the new Blue Cross claims system came online. Blue Cross has promised that once the fix is in place, they will reprocess all affected member claims and fix any errors that might have occurred. Members do not need to take any action; any misprocessed claims will be reprocessed and correctly paid by Blue Cross. VSEA is closely monitoring this situation on your behalf as well.
Click Here For More Information |
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It’s VSEA Chapter Annual Meeting Season
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| VSEA Chapter Annual Meetings are currently being held statewide, in advance of VSEA’s Annual Meeting in September. This is your Chapter’s most important meeting of the year, as this is often the meeting where Chapter officer elections are conducted and Chapter business is discussed and decisions and expenditures approved, or not.
Here is a list of upcoming Chapter Annual Meetings
Franklin / Grand Isle Chapter
August 10
Kill Kare State Park
2714 Hathaway Point Rd.
St Albans City
11:00 a.m.
Springfield Chapter
State Office Building
108 Cherry Street
First Floor Conference Room
Springfield
4:30 p.m.
Brattleboro Chapter
August 20
Marina Restaurant
Putney Road (Springtree)
Brattleboro
4:45 p.m.
Bennington Chapter
August 23
Vermont Veterans Home
Crispe Room
325 North Street
Bennington
5:00 p.m. |
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Quote Of
The Week!
"Vermont’s July revenue forecast found our tax revenues exceeded expectations, which is good for our state budget. But it also included something that got less attention, although probably more important to most of us — it confirmed our growing income inequality, bad news for Vermont and the many families whose income is dropping.”
Vermont Senator Anthony Pollina, using an August 5 Rutland Herald story about Vermont’s better-than-anticipated revenue to drive home his point about Vermont’s growing income disparity.
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Member Appreciation Day Event
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Vermont Senator Sounds Alarm About Vermont’s Growing Income Inequality
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| An article in the August 5 Rutland Herald about Vermont’s better-than-anticipated revenue report, featured Senator Anthony Pollina (P-Washington), who used the opportunity to sound the alarm about growing income inequality in the state.
Here’s an excerpt:
Pollina said adjusted gross income of the wealthiest Vermonters making $1 million or more went up 41% between 2016 and 2017, according to the fiscal projection report. Those earning $50,000 to $60,000 saw a slight increase of 2.5%. Those making $35,000 to $40,000 saw an increase of less than 1%, while those making $35,000 or less saw incomes go down.
Pollina said the income differences were even greater over the last few years. From 2010 to 2017, the wealthiest Vermonters saw their incomes more than double, increasing 105%, the report stated. Those earning $50,000 to $60,000 saw increases of 7.3%. Those earning less saw smaller increases and again, many saw their incomes go down.
“This is why people can’t make ends meet,” Pollina said. “We have to identify income inequality as a real issue and try to find ways to reverse it.
“One of the things that encourages inequality — because I’ve looked at this over a number of years — is that tax policy does encourage inequality because it tends to benefit wealthier people rather than lower-income people (with) the tax reforms that we’ve had.
“The fact is that most new income keeps going into the pockets of the wealthiest Vermonters,” Pollina said. “And, while the state budget is balanced and unemployment is low, we are stuck in a pattern of low-paying jobs and growing inequality.”
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Some GE Workers To Vote August 13 On Tentative Agreement
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The Albany Times Leader reports on August 6 that 6,600 General Electric employees nationwide, represented by the IUE-CWA, will vote on August 13 whether or not to ratify a new, four-year contract. A first tentative agreement reached in July was rejected by this group of GE workers.
"Although the company did not accept all of our proposed improvements, we are pleased to announce we were able to achieve significant movement in three key areas: healthcare costs; general wage increases; and the reinstatement of cost-of-living- increases," the IUE-CWA said in a statement sent to its members. "We feel this is a package that our members can be proud of. Your negotiating team unanimously endorses it."
GE remains in negotiations for a new contract to cover 1,250 of its employees in two states, represented by the IAM. This group voted against the GE contract and has vowed to go on strike on Aug. 12 if a new deal is not reached.
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Kentucky Coal Miners Block Railroad Tracks, Demanding To Be Paid
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They might be non-union Kentucky coal miners, but this group of workers grew up surrounded by unionized coal mines and coal miners, so they were familiar with some of the strike tactics used back in the day, when there were still union mines. Using this knowledge, Labor Notes reported on how the small group of coal miners recently mobilized to block a railroad to prevent the coal they dug from going anywhere. Why? Because they weren’t paid after their employer, Blackjewel LLC, went bankrupt.
From the article:
For three days now, miners and their families have occupied a railroad track, blocking a train that’s loaded up with coal that these workers dug out of the earth and never got paid for.
Word spread quickly July 29 that someone was loading up the train to move. A few laid-off miners headed down to the site to find out what was going on, and it didn’t take long to decide they weren’t going to let this train go anywhere.
The miners want their jobs back, if possible—but bottom line, they want their wages for the work they already did.
“I would like to get the money that I’m owed,” said miner Cameron Cornett, a father of three, “the money that I worked for, and that was taken from me and my family and these other workers.”
“If we can’t get our money, they need to do something with [former CEO] Jeff Hoops for what he’s done,” said Shane Smith, a fourth-generation miner. His youngest daughter was born three days after the company announced its bankruptcy a month ago and stole workers’ wages.
Both men said they are owed nearly $4,000 in their last two paychecks.
Miners say the county police came by, asked everyone to stay off the tracks, said as long as the protests stayed civil there wouldn’t be any trouble—and departed.
Since then miners, their spouses, their kids, and their supporters have maintained a constant presence at the tracks. The numbers have fluctuated, with up to 100 people gathered at times, and a few stalwarts sticking it out through the nights.
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Minimum Wage Increases Not Hurting States
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| US News and World Report published an article this week that highlights a study by the magazine that found that states where the minimum wage has been increased are not being adversely impacted.
From the story:
Raising the minimum wage evokes a passionate response from all sides, and the argument is growing more heated now that the House of Representatives has voted to more than double the federal minimum age from $7.25 an hour to $15 hourly by 2024. State by state, the minimum wage varies dramatically – from the federally mandated cellar of $7.25 in a swath of Southern states, plus rural states such as Idaho and Utah, to $11.10 in New York and up to $12 an hour in California. As of this year, 21 states require businesses (with some exceptions, such as tipped jobs) to pay above the federal minimum.
Was it worth it for those states to raise the minimum wage? Data collected by U.S. News as well as detailed studies by economists indicates it was – or at least that hiking the minimum wage has not hurt the state economies.
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August 10
Chapter Annual Meeting / Cookout: Franklin / GI
Kill Kare State Park
2714 Hathaway Point Rd.
St Albans City
11:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Note: Look for the Chapter banner!
August 12
Board Of Trustees Meeting
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.
August 12
Member Appreciation Day Event: Springfield
State Office Building
108 Cherry Street
Third Floor Conference Room
Burlington
11:00 a.m.
August 12
Chapter Annual Meeting: Springfield
State Office Building
100 Mineral Street
First Floor Conference Room
Springfield
4:30 p.m.
August 14
Member Appreciation Day Event: Essex Junction
Global Foundries
1000 River Street
Oakledge Conference Room
Essex Junction
11:30 p.m.
August 16
Bennington Battle Day Holiday
State Holiday
Most State Offices & VSEA Closed
August 20
Chapter Annual Meeting: Brattleboro
Marina Restaurant
Putney Road (Springtree)
Brattleboro
4:45 p.m.
August 23
Chapter Annual Meeting: Bennington
Vermont Veterans Home
Crispe Room
325 North Street
Bennington
5:00 p.m. |
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| Thank you for reading Week In Action! |
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| VTPAC Silent Auction Needs Your Donations! |
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The VSEA members of the Vermont Political Awareness Committee (VTPAC), the group that helps make sure candidates that support your interests get elected to office, is looking for donations for a silent auction to be held the weekend of Annual Meeting.
Members willing to donate anything from homemade goods to services at the businesses of family or friends—or anything else that you think people would be interested in bidding on—should contact VTPAC Chair Kara Haynes at karahaynes802@gmail.com.
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| VSEA Legislative Committee & Staff’s End-Of-Session Report |
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| At the June VSEA Council meeting, VSEA Legislative Committee Chair Margaret Crowley and Legislative Specialist Tom Abdelnour shared a powerpoint presentation with the body that summarized the 2019 legislative session that ended in May.
VSEA members and retirees are invited to:
View Summary |
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| Steward Trainings Posted To Website |
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| VSEA Field Services Director Gretchen Naylor posted several PDF versions of the steward training presentations she is leading statewide. Note: Depending on your settings, each link below will open a PDF in your web browser or download the PDF to your computer or device.
The posted trainings include:
1) The Role of Stewards In Grievances
2) Steward Training – Providing Representation In An Investigation
3) Duty Of Fair Representation
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| Seeking Annual Meeting Award Nominations! |
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| It’s time again to submit your nominations for a 2019 VSEA Outstanding Performance Award in the categories below. To date, there have not been many nominations submitted, so VSEA is asking members and retirees to please take a few minutes today to make a nomination(s).
Click the buttons to make nominations online: |
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Outstanding VSEA Chapter:
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Outstanding VSEA Steward:
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Outstanding Service to VSEA:
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Outstanding Public Service:
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Outstanding VSEA Staff Member:
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| VSEA’s Awards and Scholarships Committee is urging members to give some thought to each of these awards and if you know of a deserving state employee—or a deserving Chapter—then please don’t hesitate to submit your nomination(s).
Winners will be announced at VSEA’s Annual Meeting in September. |
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| VSEA Board Reminds Members To Contact DHR If Over-Billed By Provider Due To Unpaid BlueCross BlueShield Claim |
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| VSEA’s Board of Trustees is reminding members who have been over-billed by a health care provider as a result of non-payment of a claim(s) by Blue Cross / Blue Shield to contact the Department of Human Resources.
DHR Benefits Division Contact Info
VSEA members were alerted to this issue and problem in a May 10 WIA story.
From that piece:
Members of VSEA’s Benefits Advisory Committee (BAC) recently met with Blue Cross/Blue Shield representatives and Department of Human Resources’ Benefits Division staff to inquire about numerous reports from VSEA members, retirees and staff that their claims were not being paid. The BAC requested the meeting and what they discovered is alarming.
According to Blue Cross, 6,302 claims for state employees and retirees have currently not been paid, totaling approximately $20 million. Of those, 2,330, totaling $10m, are 30-days past due. Blue Cross representatives blamed the delay on a new automated claims system the company installed in January 2019.
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Every VSEA member and retiree who is waiting on a claim–and those whose claims were paid incorrectly–is urged to contact the Department of Human Resources’ Benefits Division to demand that your claim(s) be paid and remind them that an unpaid claim can sometimes break a family financially. Simple request; do your job!
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Reminder:
State Employees Who Are Threatened On The Job Should File "eAlert" Form |
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| We are reminding members that there is an online form to fill out if you are threatened while at work.
Find The State’s “eAlert” Homepage Here
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 and fields to complete.
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. |
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VSEA Membership Drive 2019
Now Underway! |
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| Strength In Numbers!
A reminder that your union’s 2019 membership-recruitment drive is underway. Rewards for recruiting new members between now and September 1!
- 2 new members – Dunkin Donuts gift card;
- 5 new members – VSEA insulated coffee mug; or
- 10 new members – $50 VISA gift card!
Bonus! Recruit a new member and receive an entry in a drawing to win one of four $300 prizes to be awarded at VSEA’s 2019 Annual Meeting! Each new recruit earns you an additional entry! Just be sure to have your recruits add your name in the "Recruited By" line of the VSEA Membership Application.
More Membership Drive Information Here! |
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| Need a quick reference to help with your recruiting? You can view an informational webpage with some recruitment tips and advice here.
If you have any questions, or want a list of non-members in your area, please contact VSEA Director of Operations and Organizing Amy Kinsell by email: akinsell@vsea.org |
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| Told You’re Being Investigated? Watch This Video! |
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It is important that every VSEA member knows his or her rights when it comes to union representation in investigatory meetings. Union representation at these meetings is a cornerstone of the labor movement. Your right to representation—as outlined in your contract and, in some cases, labor law—can be complicated.
Please take a few minutes on a break to watch the video, and know that the information being relayed could very well save your job someday. Remember, as a VSEA member, you are entitled to no-cost representation in investigatory meetings that may lead to discipline. Non-members, however, must now pay a rate of $250 to $350 per-hour for the same level of representation!
More: Know Your Union Rights
Not currently a VSEA member?
You can sign up online.
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| What You Should Know About The Anti-Worker Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court Ruling |
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If you haven’t already, begin educating yourself today about what the Janus decision means—or supplement what you know already. Please also inform your co-workers about this Janus page and talk with them about what you learned and remind them of the importance of a union in their everyday life. You could make a difference. Every study shows that nothing is more effective than member-to-member communication.
Learn More On VSEA.org
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| Getting Ready To Retire? Retired Already? Join The VSEA Retired Members’ Chapter! |
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Long-time VSEA activist and leader Terry Lefebvre is asking VSEA members getting ready to retire to join the VSEA Retirees’ Chapter to continue to be an active and engaged union member, even in retirement. Lefebvre also appeals to VSEA members to talk up the co-workers they know who might be preparing to retire. If you already belong to the Retired Members’ Chapter, a big thanks to you.
With a possible fight looming on retirement security, Lefebvre stressed the importance to build the Chapter to be able to mobilize large numbers of past state workers to protect and defend the benefits they bargained to win over decades.
If you already belong to the Retired Members’ Chapter, a big thanks to you.
Learn More Here About The VSEA Retired Members’ Chapter |
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| What is the VSEA Advantage Program? |
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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!
Learn More!
Questions? Feel free to email
vsea@ vsea.org |
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Need To Update Your Contact Information
With VSEA?
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