VSEA Members Wait To Hear What’s In Next Week’s Budget Address

With a budget deficit again staring Vermont lawmakers in the face—and a new $25 million hole created mainly by less-then-anticipated corporate tax payments—many VSEA members are anxious and nervous about what the state’s newly elected top official might put on the table to save money.

“It seems like every year VSEA members have to be concerned about their services and jobs being cut, and it’s always due to some new budget deficit that wasn’t even caused by services run amuck,” explains VSEA Communications Director Doug Gibson. “Service and position cuts cannot continue to be the cure-all for Vermont’s ongoing budget shortfalls. There are other ways to address Vermont’s budget deficits, and VSEA continues to hold out hope that lawmakers and state officials will adopt a new approach this session to generate some new revenue for our state. Vermonters need properly staffed and administered public services more than ever right now.”

The budget address is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24. Many local Vermont media outlets will be streaming the address live, and VSEA members are urged to listen and contact your union about any perceived issues/concerns you might have with what you hear.

Details About New VSEA Vision Benefit Offer Coming Monday!

In mid-December, WIA told readers about a supplemental vision program that VSEA announced it would begin offering to members early in 2017. On Monday, January 23, VSEA will be sending all members an email with information about the supplemental offer and how you can enroll.

“We’re hoping [this plan] will help a lot of members reduce their current eye-care costs,” VSEA’s Operations Director Ray Stout told WIA in December. “VSEA members will still have their contractual vision benefit, but they will now have the option to supplement that benefit, just like with the dental program.”

Stout adds that there will be a nominal charge to members for the eye-care option, just as there is for the dental option.

Look for the email on Monday!

Important! Let VSEA Know If You DO NOT Want To Participate In New Electronic Balloting

VSEA members attending the union’s 2016 Annual Meeting voted to pass a bylaw that allows VSEA to conduct internal elections, via online voting. To date, VSEA votes have all been conducted via the U.S. Mail, but changing times and member needs prompted the membership to offer a new voting option.

In advance of any future votes to be conducted online, VSEA is asking members who DO NOT want to vote online—and who prefer a mail ballot—to please let VSEA know now. Failure to inform VSEA that you would prefer your ballot via the U.S. Mail could result in you not being able to cast a vote on important decisions that impact the VSEA membership at large.

VSEA is unsure of the exact timing of the next all-member vote, so members who prefer to vote by U.S. Mail are being asked to begin letting headquarters know as soon as possible. This said, VSEA will still be sending an alert out once the next membership vote is set to remind about the opt-out option. VSEA members who have not requested a paper ballot prior to the approval of the next vote scheduled by the ERN committee will be considered online voters.

If you want to continue to cast your vote via U.S. Mail, please send an email (vsea@vsea.org) or letter to VSEA headquarters, attention “My Voting Preference,” 155 State Street, Montpelier, 05602.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this important notice.

State Announces Proposed Reorganization/ Consolidation Of Agencies/ Departments

Vermont’s newly elected top official signed three executive orders this week that, if formally adopted by the legislature, would combine Lottery and Liquor Control, fold sensitive DOL functions into ACCD and, finally, transfer services currently provided by DII to a new Agency of Digital Services.

On Tuesday, January 17, the State held a press conference to announce the three orders, but details about how the reorganization would work and what savings would be achieved were missing. Reporters had some good questions for the State that it could not answer fully, including:

• Are there any dollar savings? Will it cost more? State was emphatic the exercise is about "efficiency," not savings;
• Are there potential conflicts of interest? State says it’s not concerned, even though the Auditor and some lawmakers are already expressing concerns;
 and
• What is the cost to rebrand the impacted agencies/departments?

The legislature now has 90 days to try and get some solid, reassuring answers from the State or it could put the kibosh on the reorganization entirely. VSEA will be monitoring the discussion closely at the State House and providing timely updates on the orders to the membership.

One positive revelation about the State’s proposed reorganization is that no state employees will lose their job as a result.

Here is some of the press generated by the State’s proposed reorganization:

VTDigger
Seven Days
VT Press Bureau

VSEA Legislative Committee Schedules New Series Of Dinner Receptions For Members To Meet With Legislators About Specific Issues

A new series of VSEA informal member dinner receptions with legislators kicks off next week on Tuesday, January 24. These VSEA Legislative Committee-sponsored events afford frontline workers the opportunity to discuss high-priority issues with lawmakers face to face, as well as educate them about the union’s position. The reception topics this session include:

• Privatizing Services Is Not The Answer
  January 24
• Protecting & Defending VSEA Members’ Retirement Security
  January 31
• Protecting & Enhancing VSEA Members’ Health Care
  February 9
• Enhancing VSEA Members’ Safety & Security While At Work
  February 16

All VSEA members are invited to attend one or more of the dinner meetings, all of which will be held at VSEA headquarters in Montpelier, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m.

If you are interested in attending a reception(s), please RSVP to:

Danielle Warner, VSEA Organizer
Email: DWarner@vsea.org

Addison County Members…
Let’s Talk On January 24!

Addison County members are invited to join your colleagues and VSEA staff on Tuesday, January 24, to hear updates on the issues important to state employees and learn what you can do to help. There will also be a discussion about many of the challenges facing state employees and how they impact your working conditions and the services you provide.

Tuesday, January 24
12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
First Floor Large Conference Room

Your input and voice are important. Join with your colleagues and staff to talk about possible changes already being proposed by the new Administration and also take time to discuss ways to strengthen your union.

LUNCH is being provided! Understanding that member’s have different lunchtimes, just come when you are able and leave when you need to.

Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday!

Next Springfield Chapter Meeting Is January 26!

Springfield Chapter President Joey Holmes asked WIA to remind Chapter members that your next meeting is Thursday, January 26, at the State Office Building in Springfield, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Pizza and beverage provided. Hope to see you there!

Employee Appreciation Day Event – Liquor Control

VSEA’s Organizing Department has scheduled an Employee Appreciation Day event for members working at Liquor Control. The event is Friday, January 27, and it begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Basement Conference Room at 13 Green Mountain Drive in Montpelier.

VSEA Members Invited To Participate In Special Legislative Hearing On Vermont’s Mental Health Crisis & Its Impact On Frontline Workers

It’s been widely acknowledged that our state is experiencing a crisis when it comes to the delivery of mental health services to Vermonters in need, and now lawmakers want to hear from frontline workers about what impact the crisis is having on you.

VSEA members who work with Vermonters with mental illness are being asked to participate in a special, joint legislative hearing to educate lawmakers about the challenges of working with this particular population.

Special Joint Legislative Hearing –Vermont’s Mental Health Crisis & Frontline Workers
Tuesday, February 7
Room 11
State House
Montpelier
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Want to testify? Questions? Please contact VSEA’s Legislative Specialist Tom Abdelnour by email at tabdelnour@vsea.org or by phone at 802-223-5247.

Bolton Valley Offering VSEA Members A Discount On Daily Lift Tickets

Bolton Valley (BV) Ski Resort has been a VSEA Advantage Program participant for years, offering state employees discounted season passes. That offer has come and gone for this season, but BV is now offering VSEA members $5 off lift tickets that are purchased online. This is an additional discount off the already-lowered online lift-ticket price.

Important! To purchase an online, discounted BV lift ticket, you must first receive a good-for-one-use promotional code directly from the VSEA Advantage Program. To get a promo code, contact VSEA’s Susan DeVoid by email (sdevoid@vsea.org) or by phone at 802-223-5247. Susan is only available during normal VSEA operating hours (Monday-Friday,
9 am- 5 pm).

> After receiving an online promotional code, you then simply log here to and print out your ticket.

Enjoy the slopes—and the discount!

Know of a business you would like to see in the VSEA Advantage Discount Program?

VSEA members are encouraged to recruit local businesses in their area. Vendor sign-up forms available from VSEA Headquarters. You can also download and print a form here. Review the guidelines of the Advantage Program here.

Save The Date! VSEA 2017 State House Day Is February 28

VSEA’s Legislative Committee announced that an online form has been created for VSEA members to use to register to attend the union’s annual State House Day, which this year is Tuesday, February 28.

At State House Day, VSEA members get a chance to talk face-to-face with legislators about the services you provide and the issues and challenges you and your colleagues face.

Register today and help make this VSEA’s most successful State House Day ever. With Vermont facing another budget deficit, it’s important again for VSEA members to demonstrate their collective power at the State House to remind lawmakers that we’re not only state employees who provide services, we’re also Vermont voters, and we care about the adverse impact service and personnel cuts have had—and will have—on the communities where we live.

More on events associated with VSEA State House Day to come in future WIAs. Stay tuned.

VSEA 2017 Scholarship Applications Now Online!

Every year, the VSEA Scholarship & Awards Committee solicits scholarship applications from VSEA members and their spouses, dependents and domestic partners. The 2017 scholarship applications are now available online, and VSEA students who are seeking financial assistance this year in the pursuit of post-secondary educational goals can download one here.

Idaho Governor Orders Cybersecurity Improvements

Idaho’s Governor signed an executive order this week that creates a new “Director of Information Security” position, charged with protecting the state’s computer networks from hackers. The order also directs state agencies to implement a “system intended to improve communications and decision making involving cybersecurity. State workers will also be required to take “cybersecurity instruction” before being allowed access to state computer systems.

VSEA Labor Educator’s Monthly Worksite Meeting Schedule

Next week, VSEA Labor Educator Tim Lenoch begins to personally conduct informational meetings in set workplaces on set days in four locations. Lenoch says the purpose of the meetings is to provide members with an opportunity to “join with their colleagues and VSEA staff for updates and discussion on the issues and challenges facing state employees and the impact on your working conditions and the services they provide.” He adds that members are welcome to “come share their ideas and hear from co-workers on how to build a stronger union and improve public services.”

Snacks and refreshments are provided.

St. Johnsbury
ESD Conference Room
State Office Building
67 Eastern Ave.

• February 9
• March 9
• April 13
• May 11
• June 8

Brattleboro
Room 148
State Office Building
232 Main Street

• February 10
• March 10
• April 14
• May 12
• June 9

White River Junction
Room 170
State Office Building
118 Prospect Street

• January 17
• February 21
• March 21
• April 18
• May 16
• June 20

Springfield
First Floor Conference Room
State Office Building
100 Mineral Street

• February 15
• March 15
• April 19
• May 17
• June 21

VSEA Members Invited To Participate In Special Legislative Training

VSEA Labor Educator Tim Lenoch has been working with VSEA’s legislative team to create a new training to educate VSEA members about how statutes, policies and Vermont’s legislative process can impact state employees’ working conditions—and sometimes even, their livelihoods.

This comprehensive training will be offered at five different locations throughout the state, including:

• Bennington: Wednesday March 8 – Hampton Inn Bennington, 51 Hannaford Square
• Springfield: Wednesday March 8 – Holiday Inn Express, 818 Charlestown Rd.
• Burlington: Thursday March 9 – Zampieri Building, 108 Cherry St.
• St. Johnsbury: Thursday March 9 – TBD

> Register For Training Here

All trainings begin at 9:30 a.m., and they are open to all VSEA members, but only members in the following VSEA leadership roles are eligible for paid leave time to attend training:

• VSEA Council Members;
• VSEA Stewards;
• VSEA Chapter Officers
• VSEA Board of Trustee Members;
• VSEA Standing Committees Members;
• VSEA Unit Executive Committee Members;
• VSEA Bargaining Team Members; and
• VSEA Labor/Management Committee Members.

Please review your Collective Bargaining Agreement’s “VSEA Rights” section for specific language about paid leave time. Find your contract here.

Important! You must request time off to attend this training at least two weeks prior to your desired date.

Winter/ Spring 2017 Training Schedule

VSEA Labor Educator Tim Lenoch asked WIA to announce a new round of trainings he has scheduled throughout the winter 2017. If you are interested in registering to attend one or more trainings, you can do so by clicking here. Please direct your training questions to Tim at tlenoch@vsea.org.

All trainings begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m.

Location may change based on worksite location of registered participants. If this happens, registered participants will be notified at least a week ahead of the training. Mileage and lunch may be reimbursed or provided.

TOPIC TRAININGS

Stewards & The “Hostile Work Enviroment”
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Tuesday, January 31

Health and Safety Issues In The Workplace
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Tuesday, February 7

Stewards & Labor Management Committees
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Tuesday, February 16

The Grievance
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Thursday, February 23

Diversity For Public Sector Union Members
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Tuesday, April 4

Stewards & Contract Review
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Thursday, April 20

TARGETED DEPARTMENT/BARGAINING UNIT TRAININGS

Nursing/Health Care Facility Stewards
Mendon
Thursday, February 2

Department of Corrections Stewards
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Tuesday, February 14

Supervisory Bargaining Unit Stewards
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Tuesday, March 14

Vermont State Colleges’ Stewards
VTC Campus, Randolph Center
Thursday, April 6

Judiciary Stewards
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Tuesday, April 11

DCF Stewards
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Thursday, April 27

NEW STEWARD TRAININGS

Steward 1: Introduction and the Basics
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Thursday, March 2

Steward 2: Protecting the Contract and Building the Union
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Thursday, March 16

Steward 3: The Contract and Challenges in the Workplace
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Thursday, March 30

Steward 1: Introduction and the Basics
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Thursday, May 4

Steward 2: Protecting the Contract and Building the Union
VTrans Training Center, 1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Thursday, May 16

ALL STEWARD TRAINING

All-Steward Training
VTC Campus, Randolph
Friday, May 26

> Click here to register for a training(s)!

VSEA Insurance Representative Will Be In Barre Next Week

VSEA Benefits Enrollment

By Appointment Only:

VSEA Insurance Representative Joanne Woodcock will be at the following location to talk with interested VSEA members about member-only insurance benefits.

McFarland Building
Vocational Rehabilitation
Barre, VT
January 25 and 26
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Receive information on disability coverage, family life insurance, family accident and cancer coverage. You must be a member paying full dues to be eligible for this VSEA benefit. If you are an agency-fee payer, Joanne can provide you information about signing up for full membership.

All applications have to be taken in person.

Email Joanne@vseainsurance.com for an appointment. Please provide your age, hourly wage and job description so I can send a quote BEFORE we meet.

> See attached brochure here.

Subscribe To VSEA!

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.