Time Running Out To Cast Ballot In District Board Elections!
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| On June 18, VSEA’s Elections, Rules and Nominating Committee emailed electronic ballots to VSEA members who are eligible to vote for candidates running for one of three District Board of Trustee seats currently up for election.
The deadline to cast your vote in your District Board election(s) is Thursday, August 1, 2019, by 4:30 p.m.
Elections being held for:
- District 1 Trustee – Barre, Central Vermont (includes Montpelier) Chapter Districts;
- District 2 Trustee – Waterbury, Vermont State Hospital Chapter Districts; and
- District 5 Trustee – Rutland, Bennington Chapter Districts.
Members who requested a paper ballot by the deadline had their ballot mailed to them via U.S. Mail.
Very important! Your electronic ballot was sent to the primary email address that VSEA currently had on file for you. If you did not receive an email from this address–or don’t recall receiving it–please look in your “Other” or “Spam” folders (June 18 or June 19 time period) before contacting headquarters to request that your ballot be reissued.
Reminder: VSEA sent ballots to members’ primary email address, provided the union had your correct home or work primary email address. This is a big reason why VSEA is constantly soliciting members to contact the union with your updated email address. You can update your contact information here anytime. |
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| Note: The August 1 deadline is to vote in District Board elections. VSEA Officer elections are still to come, and the ballot to vote in those elections is being emailed to all eligible members on Friday, August 2. VSEA will be sending an email out very soon to let members know when to expect the email with your officer election ballot. |
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ERN Certifies Petitions Of VSEA Members Running For Officer Positions
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VSEA’s Election, Rules & Nominating Committee has now officially certified the petitions of all the VSEA members who submitted to run for election this year to a VSEA officer position.
Here are the member’s names (in alphabetical order) that will appear on every full-fledged VSEA member’s online ballot (except for those members who have requested a paper ballot), which is being emailed soon:
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: Winners will be announced at VSEA’s Annual Meeting in September. |
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VSEA Officer Election Ballot Being Emailed On Friday, August 2!
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| All eligible VSEA members will receive their electronic ballot to vote in the VSEA officer elections on Friday, August 2.
Very important! Your electronic ballot will be sent to the primary email address that VSEA currently has on file for you. On August 2, please be on the lookout for an email from vote@ simplyvoting.com, which will contain your ballot(s). If you do not receive an email from this address by August 3, please look in your “Other” or “Spam” folders before contacting headquarters to request that your ballot be reissued.
Reminder: VSEA is sending ballots to members’ primary email address, provided the union has your correct home or work primary email address. This is a big reason why VSEA is constantly soliciting members to contact the union with your updated email address. You can update your contact information here anytime. |
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Annual Meeting Registration Deadline Extended To August 9!
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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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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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Council Members Rewarded For Perfect Attendance
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| The names of five Council members with perfect meeting attendance in 2019 were drawn from a hat this week, and the reward for Council members picked is a paid overnight stay at Okemo during VSEA’s 75th Annual Meeting in September.
Congratulations!
- Janine Cary – ESD
- Sarah Emmons – DCF
- Joey Holmes – DOC
- Sawyer Joecks – DVHA
- Nicole Pierpont – AOT
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It’s VSEA Member Appreciation Day Season!
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| VSEA held a Member Appreciation Day event this week in Montpelier. Pictured here are members talking about their union with VSEA staff and fellow members.
Click here to view upcoming VSEA meetings, including future M.A.D. events. |
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Brattleboro Chapter President’s Message To Chapter Members About August 20 Meeting
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| Brattleboro Chapter President Robin Rieske asked WIA to post the following message to Chapter members:
Please HOLD THE DATE!
August 20
4:45
Brattleboro Chapter Annual Meeting
If anyone is interested in running for any Brattleboro Chapter office, including President, Vice President, Treasurer, Clerk or Council member, please contact Robin Rieske at Rabiah@sover.net.
Elections will take place at the Brattleboro Chapter’s Annual Meeting. |
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State Announces Budget Surplus Of Nearly $60 Million
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| Several news outlets reported this week on an announcement by the State that June tax revenues exceeded expectations by more than $8 million. This is welcome news as VSEA’s Executive Branch Units get set to begin a new round of contract negotiations with the State.
From a July 25 Vermont Business Magazine post:
The personal income tax, the state’s most important revenue source, once again pushed Vermont’s General Fund tax revenues well ahead of economists projections, for both the month and the fiscal year. Revenue collections for the month of June 2019, the final month of Fiscal Year 2019, indicate that General Fund tax revenues collected for the month totaled $130.06 million, or $8.34 million above the June consensus cash flow expectations. For the year, General Fund revenue collections exceeded expectations by $58.37 million, or 4.55%.
“These results were driven by collections in the personal income tax and corporate income tax components. Both finished the year significantly above consensus expectations for the second year in a row, and more than offset underperformance in other areas, most notably the estate tax,” noted [Administration] Secretary [Susanne] Young. “Pending final transfers and accounting required to close out the books on the fiscal year, a substantial General Fund surplus is expected for Fiscal Year 2019. The Legislature directed the year-end surplus to various uses including the General Fund Balance Reserve (Rainy Day Fund) and the State Employees’ Retiree Health Benefit Trust Fund, bringing us another step forward on the path to paying down our unfunded liabilities.”
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Quote Of
The Week!
"Like most Mainers, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had to take a day off from work to take care of a sick child, family member or had some type of emergency calling them away from work. It’s not something people want to do, they value their jobs and in Maine people have a good work ethic and we are proud of that.”
Maine Governor Janet Mills, commenting this week to the Portland Press Herald after signing the nation’s first paid-leave bill that allows employees to use leave for any reason, not just personal illness.
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Organizer Worksite Meetings
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Member Appreciation Day Events
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VT Teachers Reach Impasse On Health Care. Going To Mediation
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| VTDigger reports on July 23 that unions representing more than 40,000 Vermont public school employees across the state have reached impasse with school districts on a new health care plan.
From the story:
The two sides have been in discussion since April to find a health care plan for the employees that is acceptable to both parties. A 10-person commission comprised of five union representatives — four from the Vermont-NEA and one from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees — and five school board members, has been working for months to try to find common ground.
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Maine Enacts Nation’s First Paid-Leave Law, Granting Employees Leave For Any Reason
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| CNBC reports this week on Maine becoming the eleventh state in the nation to enact a paid-leave law for full-time employees. Maine’s law, however, makes it the first state to allow the time to be used for reasons other than personal illness.
From the story:
Under new legislation signed into law May 28 by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, workers in Maine will now be able to accrue paid time off — and use it for whatever they wish. Maine is the 11th state to guarantee full-time workers paid sick leave, but the first to allow the time to be used for something other than personal illness.
Maine’s law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2021, requires companies with 10 or more employees to provide an hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours worked, maxing out at 40 hours of time off each year.
Note: Vermont’s current paid-leave law allows employees to accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 52 hours worked. Employee can accrue or use up to 24 hours in 2017 and 2018, and 40 hours in 2019 and following years. |
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States Increasing Wages To Retain & Hire Employees, Recognizing Need To Compete With Private Sector
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Governing posted a story this week, titled "To Keep Public Workers, States Offer New Salaries and Benefits" It was subtitled, "Lawmakers increased wages and benefits for teachers, first responders and other public employees in nearly 20 states this legislative season."
From the post:
Faced with intense private-sector competition and rising turnover, 2019 legislative sessions raised wages and sweetened a selection of benefits for a slew of teachers and first responders. State workers also saw across-the-board salary increases.
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Public employees in New Mexico are receiving a 4 percent pay raise as well, while those whose salaries are below $25,000 are getting a 5 percent bump. Among other states with across-the-board salary increases are Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Oklahoma, North Dakota and South Carolina.
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July 31
Organizer’s Worksite Meeting: Morrsiville
Bargaining 101
State Office Building
63 Professional Drive
Shared Conference Room
Morrisville
12:00 p.m.
August 1
Corrections Unit Bargaining Team
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
8:00 a.m.
August 1
Member Appreciation Day Event: Rutland
Asa Bloomer Building
88 Merchant’s Row
Second Floor Conference Room
Rutland
11:00 a.m.
August 1
Deadline To Vote In District Board Elections! |
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| Thank you for reading Week In Action! |
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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 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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