Monday Is The Deadline To Register For Your Meal(s) At September’s VSEA Annual Meeting!
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| Deadline To Register For Meals At September 13 Council Meeting Is Also Monday! |
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If you are planning to attend VSEA’s 75th Annual Meeting in September at Okemo–and you want to eat–the deadline to register for your meal(s) is 4:30 p.m., Monday, July 22. The same deadline applies to Council members who will be attending the September 13 pre-Annual Meeting Council meeting.
What Is VSEA Annual Meeting?
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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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| Need a room for Annual Meeting?
Reserve Room At Okemo Mountain Resort Online
VSEA members will need to use a special rate code for the event, which is: CM9VSEA
If you don’t want to reserve online, you can also reserve a room by calling 1-800-786-5366. |
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Room types available:
- Inn Room (occupancy 2-4)
1 to 2 nights = $159 per night
3 nights = $144.54
- Studio (occupancy 2-4)
1 to 2 nights = $173 per night
3 nights = $157.27
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- One-Bedroom (occupancy 2-6)
1 to 2 nights = $195 per night
3 nights = $177.63
- Two-Bedroom (occupancy 4-6)
1 to 2 nights = $235 per night
3 nights = $213.63
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VSEA Members Declare Candidacy For Officer Positions
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| The following members have submitted a petition to appear on the 2019 VSEA officer election ballot. The petitions must still be reviewed–and the signatures confirmed–by VSEA’s Election, Rules and Nominating Committee, and that is expected to happen very soon.
Unofficially, here are the names (in alphabetical order) submitted to appear on every full-fledged VSEA member’s online ballot (except for those members who have requested a paper ballot):
President:
Dave Bellini
Department of Corrections
Margaret Crowley
Judiciary
First Vice President:
Aimee Bertrand Towne
Department for Children and Families
Rebecca Trower
Department of Corrections
Second Vice President:
Dave Martinson
Department of Corrections
Leslie Matthews
Department of Environmental Conservation (ANR)
Treasurer:
Roy Catella
Department of Corrections
Jackie Hickerson
Department of Taxes
Clerk:
Josh Cox
Department of Public Safety – Civilian
Karen Marchant
Department of Corrections
Note: WIA will let members know next week if all the petitions were approved. Until then, you can check VSEA’s Facebook page or website for an update. |
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Submit Your 2019 Annual Meeting Award Nominations Online Today!
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| Barre Chapter President Sue LaFleche (holding certificate) and other Chapter members celebrate being named "Chapter of the Year" in 2018. |
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| It’s time again to submit your nominations for a 2019 VSEA Outstanding Performance Award in the categories below. 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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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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St. Johnsbury State Office Building Remains Empty, Two Years After Chemical Contamination Found
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WCAX reports July 17 that the State Office Building on Eastern Avenue in St. Johnsbury remains empty two years after chemical contamination was found in it, and employees had to be relocated off site.
The WCAX story says the property owner is still working with the State to determine the extent of the contamination. They add that additional testing is now underway to see is the affected area is larger than previously thought, meaning broader contamination of Eastern Avenue.
From the story:
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation informed nearby property owners that soil in rights of way near the closed state building is also being tested.
"I think five potential sites up through there that they are doing individual testing on. So, they kind of wanted the next step further. OK, let’s get our arms around this whole thing and what needs to be done on all of Eastern Avenue," Whitehead said.
State officials say at this point, more data is needed to figure out the scope of the problem. But they also say that mitigation could be fairly simple, possibly using an air vacuum similar to how radon gas is removed from a house.
"If there is an issue, if there is something that needs to be mitigated, then we get a work plan together and we mitigate it," Whitehead said.
Employees at new businesses on the same block are eagerly waiting for the issue to be resolved.
Note: VSEA will be working to ensure the building and surrounding area are deemed "clean and safe" (with testing data to support) before allowing any employee to re-enter the property.
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Central
Vermont Chapter
Employee Appreciation Day and Annual Meeting Is August 6!
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Wrightsville Beach
369 Route 12A, Montpelier
Employee Appreciation Day:
10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Chapter Annual Meeting:
5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Join us for a fun day at the Beach. Member Appreciation Day from 10:00 till 5:00. Our Chapter Annual Meeting will be from 5:00-7:00. Agenda for Meeting will be prizes for the VSEA Annual Meeting, guest speakers from bargaining, statements from Candidates, and Central Vermont Chapter Council elections.
Questions? Please contact the VSEA Central Vermont Chapter President, Marion Allen, by email mdallen48@yahoo.com or phone at 802-249-5336. |
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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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Quote Of
The Week!
"Since the recession first hit Oregon over a decade ago, state employees have been asked to take low or no COLAs. Now that the economy is strong, we owe it to these hard-working individuals, and the Oregonians who rely on the services they provide, to help make up ground that was lost.”
Kate Kondayen, a spokeswoman for Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, commenting this week to AP on a tentative contract agreement that would award employees a 15% wage increase over the next two years, combining steps and wage increases. Brown cited wanting make Oregon more competitive when it comes to hiring.
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Organizer Worksite Meetings
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Member Appreciation Day Events
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Castleton DPW Workers Stay Strong & Prevail In Three-Year Contract Battle
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| Some of the Castleton DPW workers who stood strong for three years to win new five-year contract |
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Vermont AFSCME Local 1201 issued a statement last Friday, announcing that, after a three-year-long fight, Town of Castleton Department of Public Works employees agreed recently to a new five-year contract that awards them a 17.5% wage increase over the contract term, an acceptable health care copay amount, creation of a labor / management committee, payroll deduction for members’ union PAC contributions and protection for employees who refuse to cross a “union” picket line. Health care and wages were the primary sticking points that caused the employees to have to stand strong together for more than three years, but, to their great credit, they did, and their solidarity paid off in the end.
AFSCME’s statement singles out Castleton DPW mechanic and shop steward Robert “Stretch” Ward for his leadership over the course of the Local’s contract fight. |
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New Study Finds Michigan Corrections Workers "Facing Mental Health Crisis"
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From a July 16 Michigan TV6 report:
"Michigan prison workers are facing a mental health crisis that includes much higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts and alcohol abuse than in the general public, according to a study released Monday.
The report, conducted for the state Department of Corrections by Desert Waters Correctional Outreach, found that corrections employees also are more likely to have symptoms related to depression and anxiety.
Nearly 140 workers, or 1.1%, are currently and actively planning to kill themselves, said the study, which was based on an anonymous survey of about 3,500, or 29%, of employees who chose to participate.
‘These findings are a cause for grave concern, as they point to a mental health crisis among MDOC employees and a workforce culture in dire need of assistance and support,’ the authors wrote, noting similar findings in other states and jurisdictions. At least three male corrections officers have died by suicide this year."
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California Governor Signs Legislation That Allows Nurses To Meet With Hospital Inspectors Without
Management Present
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National Nurses United (NNU) posted about California’s Governor recently signing the "hospital inspection bill" to protect the ability of registered nurses and other health care employees to speak privately with a state hospital inspector during an inspection by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
From the post:
With the passage of S.B. 322, health care workers can speak freely and privately to CDPH hospital inspectors without the presence of hospital management.
“Registered nurses have a responsibility to advocate for their patients and to ensure they get the best care possible,” said CNA President Zenei Cortez. “This critical law allows nurses to be effective advocates for patients and speak freely about conditions in hospitals and facilities.”
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Corrections Officers Sue State Of Arizona Over Attacks
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| An Arizona ABC affiliate is reporting this week that eight current and former corrections officers have filed a lawsuit against the state, alleging the Department of Corrections ignored safety problems, which led to inmate attacks and life-altering injuries.
The AZ corrections officers’ federal lawsuit also claims they were hurt due to staff shortages, a failure to fix broken cell doors, or leaving violent and mentally ill inmates unrestrained. They also claim their constitutional rights were violated because they were not warned of inmates’ threats or given adequate training. |
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July 20
Steward Training
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m
July 23
Supervisory Unit Bargaining Team
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.
July 23
Child & Elder Care Committee
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.
July 23
Central Vermont Chapter’s "Mountaineer Game" Event
Recreation Field
Montpelier
6:00 p.m.
July 24
VSHA Officers’ Training
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
8:00 a.m.
July 24
Waterbury Chapter Annual Meeting
State Office Complex
Cherry A
Waterbury
12:00 p.m.
July 24
Newport / Island Pond Chapter Meeting
Kingdom Brewery
353 Coburn Hill Rd.
Newport
5:00 p.m.
July 25
Supervisory Unit Bargaining Team
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.
July 25
Barre Chapter Annual Meeting
McFarland State Office Building
Economic Services Conference Room
Barre
5:00 p.m.
July 26
OCS Labor / Management Committee
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.
July 26
Benefits Advisory Committee
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
1:00 p.m. |
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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 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 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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