VSEA’s Week In Action Newsletter: March 10, 2017

Lawmakers Return To Montpelier, Needing To Find $18 Million To Balance The Budget

The conclusion of Town Meeting Day marks the beginning of the second half of the 2017 legislative session, and, according to a March 8 Seven Days article, lawmakers’ primary focus now is to find $18 million to fill a budget hole. Thanks to work already done by lawmakers, this $18 million is down from what had been a $70 million hole. But now, with most of the State’s proposed budget-reduction ideas already labeled “non-starters,” the job of finding the remaining funds now falls squarely on the legislature’s money committees.

“Given recent history, VSEA members have a right to be a little nervous right now,” says VSEA Communications Coordinator Doug Gibson. “It doesn’t sound like lawmakers intend to introduce any new revenue-generating ideas this session, so, once again, we have to believe that service and position cuts will be on the menu. This means that VSEA members will soon have to begin reminding lawmakers and the public again that our state’s public services have already been cut to the bone and that many are sadly still struggling to rebound. This has been an ugly pattern here in Vermont for nearly a decade now, and you have to wonder when it will stop.” Gibson added that the prospect of potential deep cuts to Vermont’s federal funding could cloud the state’s budget picture even more.

House Appropriations Committee Chair Kitty Toll (D-Danville) tells Seven Days that she hopes to find the $18 million “in one fell swoop,” saying, “Is there a structural change we could make, instead of nipping away every year? Is there something bigger we could go after? Or end a program entirely?" She adds that she is “hopeful” the State will return from Town Meeting Day with a “Plan B” and that it will “be a partner” in resolving Vermont’s budget deficit.

As the article concludes “the worst is almost certainly yet to come.” Stay tuned and stay engaged.

With Budget Debate Heating Up, VSEA Urges Members To Update/ Submit Your Correct Mobile Contact Info

In an effort to provide instantaneous updates to members from the State House, VSEA began asking members a few months ago to provide your up-to-date mobile device number to your union. Many of you have responded to date, but many others have not. It’s especially important now that you do. With all the talk about a budget deficit and no new revenue generation to fill the hole, VSEA members will need to stay informed about any and all ideas being floated at the State House that could adversely impact a service or positions. It’s possible some of you will have to lobby your legislators at some point soon, and the more frontline workers they hear from, the better.

To ensure you are receiving the latest updates from Montpelier, please update or submit your contact information here. Thanks in advance for the help.

VSEA Member Elected To Bennington School Board

The March 8 Bennington Banner reports that DCF Social Worker Chris Murphy was elected to a Bennington School Board seat on Town Meeting Day. Murphy and two others who were running for the first time successfully unseated three incumbents.

“As public employees, state workers and teachers make natural allies: when one is strong, so too is the other, and an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us,” Murphy tells WIA. “At a time when the sanctity of public education and the survival of workers’ rights are under attack, I hope to share the passion I have for our Union with the Bennington School District.” He adds, “I am proud to serve as a VSEA Steward, Council member, and on the FSD Labor-Management Committee…and now I am proud to serve on the B.S.D. school board as well.”

Congratulations Chris! Thanks to any and all VSEA Bennington members who voted for Chris.

Springfield Chapter Meeting Is March 15

The next VSEA Springfield Chapter meeting is Wednesday, March 15, in the State Office Building’s first-floor conference room. The meeting begins at 4:40 p.m.

Questions? RSVP? Please contact Chapter President Joey Holmes by email at jholmes2013@comcast.net.

VSEA Planning Summer Trip To See NASCAR Race. Which Date Is Best?

In September 2016, VSEA offered members a bus trip to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway to see the New England 300 NASCAR race. The bus sold out, the day was gorgeous and all had a good time. For this reason, VSEA is chartering a bus again this year, but, first, VSEA Union Representative Bob South is taking an informal poll to see which of two summer dates works best for most.

“I would like to determine if members prefer Sunday, July 16, or Sunday, September 24,” says South. “Anyone with a preference is urged to shoot me a quick email and let me know which date works better for you and your family.”

Send your preference to South by email: bsouth@vsea.org.

Bolton Valley Already Offering VSEA Members Discounted 2017-2018 Passes

Bolton Valley (BV) Ski Resort has been a VSEA Advantage Program participant for years, offering state employees discounted season passes. It’s a popular item, and while winter 2016 is not even over yet, BV is already offering VSEA members discounted 2017-2018 ski passes.

Check out the different options and pricing here.

Important! To purchase an online, discounted BV 2017-2018 pass, you must first receive a special 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.

After receiving your VSEA online promotional code, simply log on to www.boltonvalley.com/industry to purchase your pass(es).

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.

April 18 Deadline To Submit Bylaw Changes

The deadline to submit proposals for changes to VSEA’s Master Bylaws is Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Proposals must be mailed to: Cassandra Edson, Bylaws Committee Chair, c/o VSEA Headquarters, P.O. Box 518, Montpelier, VT 05602.

Proposals should reference the number, section, sub-section, etc. of the bylaw you would like to change. You should also include the language you want to add, delete or substitute. Also include the reason(s) you are making this proposal. Example: “Bylaw 0 A (1) (b) Change: Monday to Sunday. Reason: Makes it easier to work with the calendar.”

Please be sure the changes you are recommending include all Articles and/or Bylaws that may be affected by the proposed change.

If you have questions, please contact Cassandra by email at cassandraedson@hotmail.com.

Discounted Tickets To See The Vermont Bucks Going Fast. Reserve Now!

Orders from VSEA members and retirees are still coming in fast to see a Vermont Bucks indoor football game at half the normal ticket price. Some games are already sold out but some tickets do remain.

VSEA has a block of 10 discounted tickets for every Vermont Bucks 2017 season home game. There is a two-ticket limit, per-member, per-game (but some special circumstances will be considered, in consultation with VSEA). The tickets, which are on Gutterson Fieldhouse’s VIP Box Level, are $25 each (usually $50) and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The 2017 Vermont Bucks play seven of their eleven games at home, and the season kicks off Friday, March 17, at 7:05 p.m.

Here is the Buck’s entire 2017 schedule.

To inquire about availability or to purchase tickets, please contact Sue DeVoid at VSEA by email (sdevoid@vsea.org) or phone 802-223-5247.

VSEA Strategic Analyst’s “Right-To-Work” Presentation Available Online

VSEA Strategic Analyst Adam Norton’s presentation on everything wrong with America’s so-called “Right-to-Work” movement was so well received at VSEA’s Annual Meeting that Norton is now fulfilling requests to give the presentation to Chapters. Adam is pictured here delivering his presentation last week to the Bennington Chapter.

Norton’s “Why Right-to-Work Is Bad For Workers” presentation is a must-view for all state employees who are concerned about the move across America to bust unions and hasten the race to the bottom for workers. Please share this presentation with interested colleagues.

Learn More about "Right To Work" here

Sign The Petition To Oppose Federal So-Called "Right-To-Work" Legislation!

Several labor groups, including AFSCME, AFT and Jobs with Justice, started a national petition drive this week to oppose any attempt by the U.S. Congress to pass so-called "right-to-work" legislation.

Here’s how the petition reads:

To: All Members of Congress and State Lawmakers

Working people in “right-to-work” states earn at least $6,000 less than other people on average. And EPI research shows that, even after controlling for other differences between states like the cost of living, people in “right-to-work” states still earn 3.2 percent less – or $1,558 less per year. So-called “right-to-work” laws lower the wages of everyone who works for a living – union and nonunion alike. Pushed by corporate lobbyists and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the only real purpose of so-called “right-to-work” laws is to lower wages and weaken unions. We demand that you stand up for workers’ rights and oppose “right-to-work” laws in Congress and in your state.

Sign the petition here

What’s VSEA Done For Vermont State Employees? See For Yourself

A lot has happened since the VSEA was officially recognized in 1944 as the voice for Vermont’s state employee workforce, and VSEA’s Communications Department has now compiled many of your union’s notable victories and achievements in a new online chronological history of the VSEA.

“Thankfully, VSEA formed a special committee in the mid-eighties to put together a historical synopsis of what had happened within the union from 1944 to then, and it was a great piece for us to build from,” explains VSEA Communications Director Doug Gibson. “This up-to-date history will hopefully help educate more VSEA members about the fights and campaigns of past state employees, reminding them how long it actually took for workers to get to where they are today, in terms of wages, benefits and working conditions. We hope it will be a good resource and tool for members.”

View VSEA’s new online history timeline here.

VSEA Organizer’s Upcoming Worksite Meetings

VSEA Organizer Tim Lenoch is personally conducting informational meetings in set workplaces on set days in four locations. He 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

AHS Conference Room
DOH
107 Eastern Ave.

  • March 14
  • April 11
  • May 9

Brattleboro

Room 148
State Office Building
232 Main Street

  • April 14
  • May 12
  • June 9

White River Junction

Room 170
State Office Building
118 Prospect Street

  • March 21
  • April 18
  • May 16
  • June 20

Springfield

First Floor Conference Room
State Office Building
100 Mineral Street

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

AMENDED! VSEA Labor Educator Alters Winter/ Spring Training Schedule

VSEA Labor Educator Tim Lenoch asked WIA to make members aware that he has made some changes to his previously announced winter 2016 trainings schedule. Some trainings have been cancelled and the date for others has been changed
(* = date change).

If you are interested in registering to attend one or more of the remaining 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.

TARGETED DEPARTMENT/ BARGAINING UNIT TRAININGS

Vermont State Colleges’ Stewards

VTC Campus, Randolph Center
Thursday, April 6

Judiciary Stewards

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

NEW STEWARD TRAININGS

Steward 1: Introduction and the Basics

VTrans Training Center
1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
*Friday, March 17

Steward 3: The Contract and Challenges in the Workplace

VTrans Training Center
1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
*Thursday, March 30

Steward 2: Protecting the Contract and Building the Union

VTrans Training Center
1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
*Friday, March 31

Steward 2: Protecting the Contract and Building the Union

VTrans Training Center
1716 US Rte. 302, Berlin
Thursday, May 16

Click here to register for a training(s)!

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This Week:

Lawmakers Return To Montpelier, Needing To Find $18 Million To Balance The Budget

With Budget Debate Heating Up, VSEA Urges Members To Update/ Submit Your Correct Mobile Contact Info

VSEA Member Elected To Bennington School Board

Springfield Chapter Meeting Is March 15

VSEA Planning Summer Trip To See NASCAR Race. Which Date Is Best?

Bolton Valley Already Offering VSEA Members Discounted 2017-2018 Passes

April 18 Deadline To Submit Bylaw Changes

Discounted Tickets To See The Vermont Bucks Going Fast. Reserve Now!

VSEA Strategic Analyst’s “Right-To-Work” Presentation Available Online

Sign The Petition To Oppose Federal So-Called "Right-To-Work" Legislation!

What’s VSEA Done For Vermont State Employees? See For Yourself

VSEA Organizer’s Upcoming Worksite Meetings

AMENDED! VSEA Labor Educator Alters Winter/ Spring Training Schedule

 

 

 

Week In Action Reminders:

VSEA Legislative Reports Available Online

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

VSEA 2017 Scholarship Applications Now Online!

VSEA Schedules 2017 “Day At Fenway” Event For August 27

Bennington Chapter President Encourages Members To Donate Coats

VSEA Membership Recruitment Committee Launching New Recruitment Effort

Threatened While On The Job? VSEA Wants To Know

Join VSEA’s Texting List!

VSEA Advantage Discount Program

Need To Update Your Contact Information With VSEA?

 

Calendar:

 

March 13
Child & Elder Committee
VSEA HQ
Montpelier
9:30 a.m.

March 14
Middlebury Worksite Meeting w/Organizer
State Office Building
156 South Village Green
Fist Floor Conference Room
Middlebury
11:45 a.m.

March 14
St. Johnsbury Worksite Meeting w/Organizer
DOH
107 Eastern Ave.
AHS Conference Room
St. Johnsbury
12:00 p.m.

March 15
Springfield Worksite Meeting w/Organizer
State Office Building
First Floor Conference Room
100 Mineral Street
Springfield
12:00 p.m.

March 15
Springfield Chapter Meeting
State Office Building
100 Mineral Street
First Floor Conference Room
Springfield
4:40 p.m.

March 16
Lamoille Valley Worksite Meeting w/Organizer
State Office Building
63 Professional Dr.
Main Conference Room
Morristown
12:00 p.m.

March 17
Training: Steward 1: Introduction & Basics
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
9:00 a.m.

March 17
Chapter Presidents Committee Meeting
118 Prospect St.
White River Junction
9:30 a.m.

 

Quote of The Week!

“I guess we’ll see what [the Legislature) comes up with at the end of the day when they finally pass it through the House, as to whether they cut things such as the Veterans Home.”

Governor Scott, commenting in a March 10 Times Argus story about the Legislature’s need to now craft a budget after lawmakers rejected a majority of the Governor’s budget-reduction proposals. The Vets’ Home threat is an example of what lawmakers could unfortunately propose, in lieu of no new revenue-generating ideas being considered.

 

How To Print Week In Action

Looking for a quick and easy way to print Week In Action to post in your worksite?

Print This Week’s Issue of Week In Action Here!

 

Read Contracts Online At VSEA.org

VSEA members belonging to the Non-Management, Corrections, Judiciary and Supervisory Units can click here to view your contract. All these contracts expire on June 30, 2018.

 

Now Available Online:

VSEA’s Legislative Team Weekly Report: February 27 – March 3, 2017

VSEA’s Legislative Team has begun to post weekly reports to let members know what’s been happening at the State House in Montpelier. To get the latest VSEA updates from under the Golden Dome, you will first need to log into your VSEA.org account (log in here) and then click here.

Need a VSEA.org account?
Sign up for a free account here

 

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

When VSEA conducts its next membership vote; all members will be able to vote electronically for the first time in your union’s history. Members can still receive a ballot by U.S. Mail, but you will need to let VSEA know that this is your preference as soon as possible! 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.

If you want to continue to cast your vote via U.S. Mail, please send an email to 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.

 

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.

The deadline for applications is May 8!

 

VSEA Schedules 2017 “Day At Fenway” Event For August 27

Last year, VSEA scheduled its first-ever “VSEA Day at Fenway” event, and it was a huge success. This year, VSEA will again be sponsoring a trip to Fenway, this time to see the Red Sox battle the Baltimore Orioles in a 1:05 p.m. start on Sunday, August 27. The estimated cost is $80 per person, which includes a bus ride to and from the park, as well as a ticket to the game.

If you and your family would be interested in joining your union and fellow members at Fenway on August 27, 2017, you should contact VSEA Union Representative Bob South. You can reach Bob by email at bsouth@vsea.org or by phone at 223-5247.

 

Bennington Chapter President Encourages Members To Donate Coats

VSEA Bennington Chapter President Victoria Thorpe is reminding Chapter members about the town’s "Need-A-Coat" Program." You can drop coats off, or pick one up this Saturday and Sunday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, located at the corner of Pleasant Street and School Street.

 

VSEA Membership Recruitment Committee Launching New Recruitment Effort

The VSEA Membership Recruitment Committee is launching a 2016/2017 “Membership Engagement and Recruitment Initiative” to grow the union’s ranks, asking members to talk with current agency-fee payers about the benefits of full-fledged membership and why s/he should make the switch. If they decide to upgrade their membership, the recruiting member will have the satisfaction of knowing they helped their union become stronger, but, in addition, the Membership Recruitment Committee will be awarding different levels of prizes to members, based on the number of new VSEA members recruited.

Here are the guidelines to participate and be eligible for a prize:

  • Whether submitting your recruited member(s) name(s)on a physical recruitment card or online, you must include your name as the recruiter;
  • Every member who recruits a new member will has his or her name entered into a drawing for the Grand Prize. The winner’s name will be drawn at VSEA’s Annual Meeting in September 2017, and the winner must be present to claim the prize;
  • Team entries are being accepted. Please register with Membership Recruitment Committee Chair Katelyn Chase by emailing her at kchase@vsea.org.
  • Members who recruit a new member, who then agrees to join your union’s political awareness committee (VTPAC) will receive an additional chance to win the Grand Prize, and
  • The cut-off date for this competition is August 30, 2017.

Here are the different prize levels:

  • $10 gift card and a VSEA water bottle
    (75 prizes awarded)
  • $25 gift card and a VSEA hat
    (40 prizes awarded)
  • $50 gift card and a VSEA tote bag
    (15 prizes awarded)
  • $100 and a VSEA fleece vest
    (8 prizes awarded)
  • 1 Grand Prize – $1,200

Note: WIA will periodically remind members about this effort until its culmination in
August 2017.

 

Threatened While On The Job? VSEA Wants To Know

VSEA President Dave Bellini is asking all state employees who are threatened while performing your job duties to provide an account of the threat not only to your supervisor or the State, but also to VSEA.

“VSEA wants to begin to compile its own record of threats against frontline state employees, no matter your occupation,” explains Bellini. “I’m asking all employees who are threatened, especially those working in AHS, to take a few minutes to fill out an online form VSEA made to collect your report. The information will help us provide a firsthand account of the number of threats being made and where they are being made, in addition to some other things.”

If you are a state employee who is threatened on the job, please click here to find the online report form, which will remain confidential, unless otherwise approved by you.

VSEA On-The-Job Threat Report Form

 

Join VSEA’s Texting List!

Texting is a great way for VSEA to let members know about important state employee issues or fights in a timely manner, but VSEA can’t text you if we don’t have your correct cell phone number.

Sign Up To Receive Texts Here!

Or contact VSEA headquarters (802-223-5247) today to provide, check or update your number. Please urge your colleagues to do
the same.

 

Subscribe To Week In Action!

VSEA Advantage Discount Program

Member only discounts on goods and services such as skiing, clothing, automotive, insurance, lawyer referral program, workers compensation advice and more! The VSEA Advantage Program is proof that there is power in numbers. It keeps working for you when the workday is through.

Just Present Your VSEA Union Card To Receive These Great Discounts! Don’t Have A Union Card? Request One Here!

Popular Advantage Program Discounts Include:

  • Discount Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom (2016 discount was $23 off day passes)
  • Discount Passes for ski resorts like Sugarbush Resort ($899 season passes) and Bolton Valley ($70 off season passes) – 2015/2016 season enrollment period has ended.
  • Winter/ Summer tire discounts for various locations across Vermont (5-10% off depending on location)
  • Movie theater discounts at select theaters in Vermont.
  • Restaurant discounts throughout Vermont (5-20% off depending on location).
  • and more!

View a complete list of participating vendors and discounts here!

Need To Update Your Contact Information With VSEA?

Update Your Contact Information Here

Request A VSEA Union Card Here

 

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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.

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