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Save The Salisbury Fish Hatchery!
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One of the State’s budget proposals that VSEA is rejecting out of the gate is its closing of the Salisbury Fish Hatchery. This week VPR reported that others are also not pleased with the State’s idea.
From the VPR story:
Fishing industry experts like Bob Samson, president of the Lake Champlain Walleye Association, say the state will lose far more in economic activity than it will gain in savings.
“It’s bringing so much more to the economy,” Samsom says. “I can’t believe they’re going to target our hatcheries.”
"To be honest with you, I cannot believe Phil Scott going along with this. It’s floored me."
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“My main concern is that if the fishermen aren’t happy and they’re not catching fish, then the license sales could diminish and we find ourselves in a bigger hole than we are now,” Rep. Pat Brennan says.
Brennan says if it’s just a matter of coming up with $250,000 to save the hatchery, then he’d propose a modest increase in hunting and fishing license fees.
Note: VSEA represents four employees at the Salisbury facility and will be lobbying hard against this proposal.
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President Bellini’s Open Letter To AHS Members In Receipt Of 2/6 "Bomb Threats" Email From AHS Chief Operations Officer Dawn O’Toole
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| Dear VSEA Members:
Writing today about an email you may have received this week from AHS Director of Operations Dawn O’Toole, regarding bomb threats to state office buildings. Here are some of my thoughts after reviewing this e-mail:
- No state employee should ever volunteer for—or be assigned the job of—searching a building for a bomb. This is not your job. Ms. O’Toole states correctly that there is a shortage of bomb-sniffing dogs. I would say that the answer to this problem is for the State of Vermont (SOV) to keep you safe at work by allocating some money to train additional dogs to sniff for bombs;
- The major failure of the SOV’s security plan—besides the fact that it is ill conceived—is that it relies on volunteers. Building security is not your job. The SOV should hire trained, law enforcement officers and place them in every major state office building; and
- Finally, it has been 3 years since Lara Sobel’s tragic murder in an unsecured parking lot. While VSEA welcomes the State’s modest security improvements, we would argue that they fall far short of what employees tell VSEA is required. The facts remain, too many parking lots are still left unsecured, no law enforcement officers have been assigned state office buildings and the communications infrastructure continues to fail employees and the public.
Ms. O’Toole asks us to be patient, but our patience is wearing thin. It is my sincere hope that the State will take more significant action before we have another avoidable tragedy. Your union will continue to fight for these important improvements.
Dave Bellini
President, VSEA
Read Entire O’Toole Email |
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Reminder: State Employees Who Are Threatened On The Job Should File "eAlert" Form
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VSEA is 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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2019 VSEA Scholarship Application Available Now!
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The VSEA Awards/ Scholarship Committee is currently soliciting applications from students seeking financial assistance in the pursuit of post- secondary educational goals.
The Committee will announce the recipients of the scholarships at the June Council Meeting.
Download 2019 Application (PDF)
Applications will be considered from persons entering or engaged in:
- Educational or vocational degree or licensed programs;
- Course(s) to further skill development; and
- Self-improvement courses.
Those persons eligible for scholarship consideration follows:
- VSEA members;
- VSEA members’ dependents;
- VSEA members’ dependent step-child; and
- VSEA members’ spouses/domestic partners.
The Scholarship Committee will base its decision for the scholarship eligibility on the following criteria:
- Career goals;
- Financial need;
- Abilities and initiative;
- Life experiences;Class standing (recent graduates); and
- Community and school involvement.
Scholarship amounts vary each year, ranging from $500 to $2,000. The VSEA Awards and Scholarships Committee reserves the right to determine the amount of each scholarship award, based on available funds.
Please Note: Applications and accompanying documents will not be returned to applicants once submitted.
Deadline: Completed applications and all accompanying data must be received at VSEA Headquarters no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 8, 2019.
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Public Hearings Scheduled To Debate State’s FY2020 Budget Proposal
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| The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have scheduled a series of public hearings to hear how Vermonters feel about the State’s FY2020 budget proposal, which includes the closure of the Salisbury Fish Hatchery and the elimination of 21 yet-to-be-identified AHS positions. VSEA opposes both these ideas.
The hearing is taking place Monday, February 25.
VSEA members and retirees interested in letting lawmakers know how you feel about the State’s budget proposal can attend one of the following meetings, closest to you:
The following hearings are from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Morrisville– People’s Academy High School, Auditorium, top of Copley Avenue
- Rutland City – Rutland Public Schools, Longfellow School Building, Board Room
- St. Johnsbury – St. Johnsbury House, Main dining room, 1207 Main Street
- St. Albans City – St. Albans City School, Library, 29 Bellows Street
- Winooski– Community College of Vermont, Room 108, 1 Abenaki Way
The following hearing is from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Springfield– Springfield Town Hall, 96 Main Street, 3rd Floor Conference Room
To view or print a copy of the State’s proposed budget, go to this link on the Department of Finance and Management’s website.
For more information about the hearings’ format, or to submit written testimony, contact Theresa Utton-Jerman (tutton@leg.state.vt.us ) or Rebecca Buck (rbuck@leg.state.vt.us) or phone 802-828-5767 or toll-free within Vermont at 1-800-322-5616.
Requests for interpreters should be made by today, Friday, February 8. |
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New Enrollment Period For VSEA Vision Insurance Program Ends February 28!
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| VSEA sent an email this morning to retirees about the vision benefit, reminding that VSEA retirees are also eligible to receive this benefit. |
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Legislator Dinner Meeting To Discuss Future Of Woodside Rescheduled For February 20!
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| Good turnout for the last VSEA legislator dinner meeting to discuss issues important to members and retirees. |
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| VSEA’s Legislative Committee has rescheduled its dinner meeting to discuss Woodside. These dinners are being held to allow VSEA members and retirees to talk with invited lawmakers about the issues important to them, like the future of Woodside.
Upcoming dinners:
RSVP here today for a dinner meeting
Event webpage to view and share! |
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Register Today For State House Day 2019!
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At State House Day, VSEA members are afforded an opportunity to talk with legislators about the services you provide and the issues and challenges you and your colleagues face.
Join us for the legislative reception!
At 4:30 p.m., in the State House’s Cedar Creek Room, your union is hosting its annual legislative reception, where you can talk with your lawmakers over drinks and horderves. This is a fun, casual way to meet with lawmakers about the issues important to you. Join us when you can – leave when you must.
Register today and help make this VSEA’s most successful State House Day ever. Let’s show lawmakers and State officials at the State House what real collective power
looks like!
Register Online Here!
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Limited Seats Remain For march VSEA Trip To Foxwoods Casino!
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The VSEA Membership Recruitment Committee is advising that limited seats remain for a return trip to the Foxwoods Casino in March.
Dates:
Saturday, March 23 to Sunday, March 24, 2019
Travel Cost:
$69 per person
We will depart from Waterbury at 8:00 a.m. and from the Wilder Exit (I-91, Exit 12) at 9:00 a.m.
Lodging (One Night at Two Trees Inn):
$133/single occupancy
$78 per person/double occupancy
$70 per person/triple occupancy
Questions?
Please contact VSEA Union Rep Bob South (bsouth@vsea.org) or Administrative Assistant Sue DeVoid (sdevoid@vsea.org). Each can be reached by phone at
802-223-5247.
Register For VSEA’s Trip To Foxwoods Casino Online Here!
Important Information!
Payment is non-refundable and must be received within one week of registering or you will lose your spot. Cash, check and credit card payments accepted. To pay, please contact VSEA Union Representative Bob South by email (bsouth@vsea.org) or phone 802-223-5247. Thank You!
Foxwoods Resort Casino website |
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WIA was asked by VSEA Benefits Administrator, Joanne Woodcock, to include the following in this week’s newsletter:
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VSEA Insurance Benefits is now making the following Aflac insurance policies available to VSEA members! |
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* Certain face amounts may not be available. Underwriting requirements apply. ** Subject to certain conditions and payment of claims is subject to all policy limitations and exclusions and pre-existing conditions.
This is a brief product overview for illustrative purposes only. Benefits and/or premiums may vary based on the state and benefit option selected. Riders may be available for an additional premium. Policies described herein have limitations and exclusions that may affect benefits payable. For costs and complete details of the coverage, contact your Aflac insurance agent/producer. Individual coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus.
WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road, Columbus, GA 31999 | aflac.com |
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Quote Of
The Week!
“Exposing these vulnerable individuals to violent or poorly maintained facilities is not how we reduce crime and recidivism.”
Rep. Nadir Hashim (D-Dummerston), testifying to the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions about his newly introduced legislation that would "prohibit the state from contracting with private prisons to house inmates or to build correctional facilities." VTDigger story.
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| Upcoming Meetings, Trainings, and Events: |
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VSEA Organizer
Worksite Meetings:
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Upcoming VSEA "Know Your Rights" Training
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Study Results Fly In The Face Of State’s Repeated Claim That Vermont Is Shedding Citizens
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CNBC reports this week that a newly released study by United Van Lines has determined Vermont to be "the most popular state to move to" in 2018.
From CNBC’s story:
Vermont was the No. 1 state to move to in 2018, according to moving and relocation company United Vans Lines. The top reason for migration: professional opportunity. Of those who moved in, 34 percent listed "job" as the deciding factor.
"A leading motivation behind these migration patterns across all regions," in fact, "is a career change," the report says. About "one out of every two people who moved in the past year moved for a new job or company transfer."
Vermont stands out, UVL explains, since "companies hold pride in their commitment to employees and community. They’re well-known for their progressive maternity and paternity leave policies and donations to charitable causes. Environmental sustainability is also very important to businesses in Vermont. So, if any of these benefits are of interest to you, Vermont may be the place to move."
Vermont was also named the No. 1 state to live inby CNBC’s 2018 Top States for Business analysis and one the top 15 states for jobs by U.S. News & World Report, which measured unemployment rate, job growth and labor force participation rate.
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Irish Pfizer Workers Threaten Work Stoppage To Combat Switch From Defined Benefit Pension Plan To 401K
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| The website FiercePharma posted a story on February 7 about a plan by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to switch workers at several of its facilities in Ireland from a defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution plan, or 401K.
From the post:
In a statement today, Pfizer said it will move the roughly 900 employees from defined benefit pension plans to defined contribution plans where employees participate in funding their own retirement savings. The April 1 move includes additional payments to employees by Pfizer as recommended by Ireland’s Labour Court.
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The workers last month rejected the proposal of Pfizer and an Irish Labour Court and approved work actions for this month. Most of the holdouts work at Pfizer plants in Ringaskiddy and Little Island in County Cork, with the rest employed in shared services and commercial operations in Dublin.
After the rejection, the union said it plans a 24-hour work stoppage in the Ringaskiddy facility on Feb. 15 followed by a 24-hour work stoppage in both plants on Feb. 18, the Irish Examiner reported.
Note: Irish workers reject switching to 401Ks, just like VSEA members. |
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Connecticut Democrats Introduce Bills To Assist Labor Unions, Post Janus
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| This morning’s Hartford Courant included a story about two bills introduced this week in the Connecticut legislature to assist the state’s labor unions, post Janus ruling.
From the story:
Two Democratic legislators are proposing state legislation cushioning the impact of a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that states cannot force government workers to pay union fees.
Reps. Mike D’Agostino of Hamden and Robyn Porter of New Haven have introduced a measure that would alter procedures used by public employees to quit paying dues.
In the legislation, requests to authorize dues or other deductions or revoke authorization for payroll deductions would be directed to the union rather than the employer, which is the state, a municipality or school district. The measure has been proposed and not yet acted on by lawmakers.
D’Agostino said the process “absolves the state of potential liability" related to a worker’s claims.
If a union neglects to tell an employer that a worker has chosen to not pay dues and the employer still deducts dues from the worker’s paycheck, any claims would “rest against the union,” he said.
The legislation is unrelated to nonmembers, which was the focus of the Supreme Court decision, D’Agostino said, It’s instead about unions, their members and dues deductions and complies with the Supreme Court decision, he said.
“We’re not leading with our chin here,” D’Agostino said.
Porter, a member of the Office Professional Employees International Union, said the legislation is an effort to “streamline what could be messy.”
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Another bill introduced by D’Agostino and Porter requires public employers to provide a union with access to public employee orientations when new employees are advised of their rights and benefits.
Jody Barr, executive director of AFSCME Council 4, which represents more than 30,000 workers in Connecticut, said the measure "levels the field a little bit."
“It allows us the opportunity to educate our members about the value of a union and why corporate interests are spending a lot of money trying to break up unions,” he said.
Note: VSEA has been asking the State to be added to employee orientations for years, to no avail, so this legislation could provide model language to shop at the Vermont State House.
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Labor Punching Back, Post Janus
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| The Guardian reports this morning that there are signs the Janus ruling may have served as a wake-up call, reinvigorating organizing campaigns and leading to gains for some unions.
Today, the heads of America’s four largest public sector unions are meeting at a summit in Washington, where they plan to outline calls for more strikes and major organizing initiatives, riding a wave of popular support from the teachers’ strikes. The story adds that workers are feeling emboldened to push for more.
From the story:
Public sector union leaders said that the changes in organizing culture their unions undertook to prepare for Janus have put them in a position to actually make gains.
“We were complacent for a while,” said the Education Minnesota president, Denise Specht, where public union membership increased by 5.4%. “People signed up when they were new to a school district or a building. For many educators, that was the first and last time they talked to their union – and now times are absolutely different.”
“I always tell people: if you treat your union solely like an insurance policy then so will your members,” said Dave Coker, the president of the Professional Firefighters of Greensboro Union.
“What I ask people is: how loyal are you to your homeowners or your auto insurance? When you set up that sort of customer ideology, if that’s the narrative, you’re aren’t building loyalty, you aren’t building educated union members, you are building a customer service relationship,” said Coker.
“In a ‘right-to-work’ environment like ours, we are only successful when our members engage. We judge ourselves as union leaders by how engaged our membership is.”
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Denver Teachers Set To Strike Monday!
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| Several media outlets are reporting that Denver teachers are sitting down at the bargaining table today with representatives of Denver Public Schools to try and reach a deal on a new contract ahead of a Monday strike by the educators.
Management and the teachers’ union are about $8 million apart in their compensation proposals.
Associated Press: Denver Teachers Get Ready To Walk Out Over Pay
KUSA: New Negotiations Set For Friday, Denver Teachers Poised To Strike Monday
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| Upcoming VSEA Meetings, Trainings, and Events: |
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February 13
VSCSF Executive Board Meeting
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
8:30 a.m.
February 14
NEK / St. Johnsbury Chapter Meeting
St. Johnsbury DCF & P&P District Offices
1016 U.S. Route 5
St Johnsbury
12:00 p.m.
February 14
Organizer’s Worksite Meeting
108 Cherry Street
State Office Building
108 Cherry Street
Conference Room 2A
Burlington
12:00 p.m.
February 15
Judiciary Unit Steward Training
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.
February 19
Organizer’s Worksite Meeting
Brattleboro DOL
Old Marlboro Grad Building
28 Vernon Street
Suite 212, Second Floor
Brattleboro
12:00 p.m.
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| 2019 Legislative Session Online Hub |
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| A collection of resources, reports, and tools to help VSEA members navigate the Vermont Legislative Session.
Clicking on the hub’s main link, members and retirees are taken to a page that lists a number of options to click on, including:
The hub will be updated with new information as it becomes available, such as the just-approved VSEA legislative priorities. |
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VSEA Membership Drive 2019
Now Underway! |
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Between January 1, 2019, and September 1, 2019, VSEA is calling on all members to become active recruiters—and you might be rewarded for your efforts. Here’s how:
- Members who recruit two members will receive a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card;
- Members who recruit five new members will receive a VSEA insulated coffee mug; and
- Members who recruit ten new members will receive a $50 Visa gift card.
Every time you recruit a new member during the designated period*, your name is entered into a drawing to be conducted at VSEA’s 2019 Annual Meeting. Four names will be pulled at random and winners will receive a check for $300!
Need a quick reference to help with your recruiting? You can view an informational webpage with some recruitment tips and advice here.
* Please be sure the new members you recruit add your name to the "Recruited By" line on their union card or membership application.
If you have any questions, or want a list of non-members in your area, please contact VSEA Director of Operations and Organizing Ray Stout by email: rstout@vsea.org |
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"Protect Your Pension" Meeting Now
On Video |
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| Prior to the legislative 2019 session kicking off, VSEA Executive Director Steve Howard was conducting an education tour around the state, talking with VSEA members and retirees about an expected attack on your pension, who is behind it and how to help prevent it from happening.
If you weren’t able to attend a presentation in your area, VSEA is pleased to now share this link to Steve’s December 2018 St. Albans presentation.
This video is for VSEA members only. To view it you must be logged into your VSEA.org user account. If you do not have a VSEA.org account, please sign up for a free account here.
Watch the presentation online |
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| Told You’re Being Investigated? Watch This Video! |
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In response to requests from members for information about an employee’s rights in investigatory meetings, VSEA’s Communications Department posted a video this week, featuring VSEA activist Robin Rieske talking to members about their rights.
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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| Getting Ready To Retire? Retired Already? Join The VSEA Retired Members’ Chapter! |
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Long-time VSEA activist and leader Terry Lefebvre asked Council 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 appealed to Council members to talk up the Chapter to co-workers they know who might be preparing to retire.
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 You Should Know About The Anti-Worker Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court Ruling |
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Thanks in advance for visiting VSEA’s Janus webpage to ensure you are an informed union member.
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Bolton Valley Again Offering “Industry Rate” To VSEA Members On 2018-19
All-Access Season Passes |
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All VSEA members in good standing are eligible to purchase a pass or passes. You can purchase yours today by first contacting VSEA by email at vsea@vsea.org. VSEA will verify your membership status and provide you with VSEA’s code, which you will need to complete your online purchase.
Once you have the required code:
- Click here;
- Click “Buy Online”;
- In the “Cart View,” click on “Add / Change Guest” to set the pass-holder’s name and information to each pass, then;
- Click “Proceed to Checkout”;
- Enter VSEA’s promotional code and click “Apply Code.” The cart should refresh and reflect your discount.
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Pass Type: Pre-April 2 Price/ Post-April 2 Price
Adult (18+):
$379 / $429
Youth w/Adult
(7-17):
$159 / $179
Youth (7-17):
$199 / $239
Senior (65-74):
$229 / $239
Child (6 and under): $29 / $29
Ski Bum (18-25): $179 / $279 |
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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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Subscribe To VSEA Today!
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.
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 is working hard to collect members’ contact information.
You can help us 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. |
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