VSEA’s Week In Action Newsletter: November 16, 2018

 

 

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VSEA Week In Action Not Publishing Next Week. Happy Thanksgiving In Advance!

Due to the short Thanksgiving holiday work week, VSEA Week In Action won’t be publishing next week.

Please check and note this week’s calendar postings for VSEA events happening the week of November 26 to November 30. 

The VSEA Communications Department wishes you a safe and happy Thanksgiving. 

Friendly Reminder: Don’t Crowd The Plow!

Now that the snow is flying, WIA is sharing a link to an AOT public service announcement about winter driving, which includes most plow drivers’ favorite saying, "Don’t crowd the plow!"

Watch the AOT winter driving ad here!

Big thanks to all VSEA AOT members for the excellent service you provide to motorists throughout Vermont’s often tough winters.  

VSEA NMU Members’ Online Ballot To Vote In Unit Chair  Election Being Emailed November 23!

On Friday, November 23,, VSEA’s Elections, Rules and Nominating Committee is emailing an online voting link to all eligible members belonging to VSEA’s Non-Management Unit. As in recent elections, the firm SimplyVoting will be emailing the link to you. 

Completed Non-Management Unit Chair ballots will be due back by close of business Friday, December 7 .
 
If you requested a paper ballot, it is being mailed to you.
 
Very important! Your electronic ballot is being sent to the primary email address that VSEA currently has on file for you.If you do not receive an email from vote@simplyvoting.com on November 23, please look in your “Other” or “Spam” folders before contacting headquarters to request that your ballot be reissued.

Special Events Committee Looking For Member Input On VSEA Annual Meeting 2019

VSEA Special Events Committee Chairperson Victoria Thorpe sent an email earlier today to all VSEA members, asking for your input and advice to aid the Committee in planning for VSEA’s 2019 Annual Meeting in September.

If you don’t recall seeing the email, you can click below to complete the Committee’s survey.

Complete Committees’ Annual Meeting Survey​ Here

And Congratulations Rep. Macaig…

Last week’s WIA included a short piece about two state employees winning election to the Vermont House on November 6. Missing from the story was mention of a third state employee by the name of Terry Macaig.

Congratulations Rep. Macaig and apologies for the oversight. We know you will be a leader and a valuable resource if there’s any fight this session around VSEA members’ and retirees’ defined benefit pension plan. 

VSEA Chittenden Chapter Gives Back To Community

Newly elected Chittenden Chapter President John Davy (pictured here) recently participated in the annual “Run Your Can Off” run/food drive. Prior to the event, he put the word out to the Chapter for donations and members responded, sending Davy enough donations to fill 30 bags. Davy collected the goods in the name of the Chittenden Chapter.

"The run was great, and race organizers were happy to see me with more than 30 grocery bags of food and a dozen-plus pairs of shoes donated by Chittenden Chapter members, says Davy. "The run was a blast–a little rain, a little snow, and we finished with some sun. My VSEA ‘proud to be union’ shirt got a couple shout outs from fellow runners out on the trail, too."

Nicely done John and the VSEA Chittenden Chapter.

Note: If your VSEA Chapter is participating in a local food, clothing, etc. drive, let VSEA know!

VSEA’s Newest Board Member Officially Sworn In To Office This Week

Newly elected VSEA Board of Trustees member Robin Rieske is pictured above being officially sworn into the body by current Board member Bob Hooper, who also serves his union as Retiree Chapter President and who just won election to the Vermont House. 

Robin works with the Department of Health in Brattleboro and currently also serves her union as Brattleboro Chapter President, Council member and Steward.

Congratulations Robin!

Way To Vote Vermont!

 

The Secretary of State’s Office reports this week that the November 6 mid-term election brought a record number of Vermont voters to the polls to cast votes. 

In a November 13 State House ceremony, it was announced that 278,230 ballots were cast across Vermont, which is a record for most votes cast in a Vermont midterm, but, as the Secretary of State’s Office clarified, is not the record for the highest turnout percentage because this year there were more eligible voters.

Well done Vermont!

Alliance For Retired Americans Hosting Post-Election Forum 

The Vermont Chapter of the Alliance for Retired Americans is hosting a forum to discuss the outcome of this week’s mid-term election, both at the federal and state and local levels.

Where Do We Go From Here?
Alliance for Retired Americans’ Post-Election Forum 
Saturday, November 17
10:00 a.m.
Unitarian Church
130 Main St.
Montpelier

  • George Twigg from Rep. Peter Welch’s office will be sharing his perspective on how the election results will impact federal issues like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act; and 
     
  • Newly elected Lt. Governor David Zuckerman will be discussing what the election and a new veto-proof majority could mean for state issues.  
Robust discussion encouraged! Refreshments available!

The forum is free but contributions are gratefully received.

Questions? Contact VT ARA Chapter President Jane Osgatharp by phone at 229-0850 or by email at annajaneo@aol.com.

Note: Forum sponsored by the VT Chapter of the Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA). The group’s parent organization is a national non-profit, headquartered in Washington, D.C. ARA Washington actively follows congressional activity, and the chapter’s weekly newsletter provides real-time information on anything happening in Washington that concerns seniors.  The VT Chapter actively supports state legislation, such as universal primary care for all.  The VT ARA is an affiliate of the VSEA Retirees’ Chapter.

VTDigger Publishes Excellent Series This Week, Chronicling  The Implosion Of Vermont’s Mental Health Care System 

VTDigger‘s Mke Seher penned some excellent articles this week about the many factors contributing to Vermont’s mental health system being in real crisis. It’s not subject matter that is new or alarming to VSEA and its members working the Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital, but it will be eye-opening for Vermonters not familiar with the system’s erosion and implosion. 

First In Series: State Reports Show Widespread Failures In Mental Health Treatment

VTDigger’s editor Anne Galloway felt strongly enough about the content in Feher’s stories that she wrote this direct appeal to readers:

"In a series of articles this week, health care reporter Mike Faher pored over hundreds of documents to tell the story of patients who were mistreated at local hospitals. Mike details how patients in severe psychological distress have been handcuffed, punched and kept in emergency rooms for days on end. while they waited for a spot at a psychiatric treatment facility.

Mike interviewed a patient who says her experience in the ER was “terrifying,” and he profiled a hospital in St. Johnsbury that is trying to cope with an influx of psychiatric patients that staff is not equipped or trained to care for.

Meanwhile, more mental health patients are spending more time in Vermont emergency rooms. In 2015, there were 3,138 patients seeking treatment in ERs. In 2017, that number jumped to 5,237.

Note: VSEA VPCH members are scheduled to meet next week with AHS Secretary Al Gobeille to hear an update on the State’s still-to-be-determined and clarified proposal to ship acute mental health care services to UVM.  

Told You’re Being Investigated? 

In response to member inquiries about state employees’ rights when being investigated, VSEA will be ramping up its efforts in the coming weeks and months to educate members about their "Weingarten Rights" when being investigated and provide Stewards and Chapters with some tools and resources to have on hand, if needed.  VSEA will also be discussing investigator conduct and what employees should know about certain investigator tactics. 

WIA will let readers know when the Weingarten materials are available for downloading and posting to worksite bulletin boards! 

If contacted in the interim that you are the subject of a pending investigation, please immediately contact a VSEA Steward or your VSEA Union Representative.  

November Is Health Care Plan Open Enrollment Time!

VSEA President Dave Bellini is reminding all members and retirees that November is open enrollment month for state employees’ health plans. 

"I recommend members and retirees review the details of both the Selectcare and Total Choice plans," advises Bellini. 

Learn More About State Employee Health Plans Here

 

Quote Of The Week!

 

This gives us flexibility that we really need, if it works.”

AHS Secretary Al Gobeille, commenting in a November 16 VTDigger story about the federal government’s proposed loosening of restrictions on the number of acute mental health beds a care facility can have to receive federal funding. To date, the number of beds allowable to receive federal funding is 16, but many states, including Vermont, have been saying that number is much too low, and it’s past time for action. For more than a decade, VSEA and its DMH members have been lobbying for a larger facility, paid for by the State, to avoid the federal acute-care bed limitation.  

Help A Fellow State Employee By Donating Some Time To Your Unit’s Sick Leave Bank!

Donation Period Ends December 31!

VSEA member Dawn Carrillo is reminding Non-Management Unit members that your Unit’s Sick Leave Bank is currently accepting annual and personal leave time donations to the bank and that the deadline to do so is December 31, 2018. Carillo reminds that donations to the Corrections and Supervisory Unit Banks are also needed

“Just donating an hour of your time can mean the world to a fellow employee,” reads a DHR flyer. It also informs state employees that they can donate any amount of annual- or personal-leave timeto their respective Unit sick leave bank. “Know that you are performing a wonderful service by helping your friends and fellow employees, who, along with their families, are struggling due to serious health issues,” the flyer concludes.

VSEA members interested in donating some much-needed time to the NMU, Corrections and Supervisory Sick Leave Banks can find a donation form here. 

"Big thanks to every member for considering a donation to your Unit sick leave bank,” says VSEA President Dave Bellini. “Even if you only donate one hour to the bank, these one-hour donations add up. It’s so worthwhile because your donation is going to help a fellow state employee who is battling a serious illness.”

VSEA Insurance Representative In Newport
Next Week!

VSEA Insurance Representative, Joanne Woodcock will be available to meet with members in Newport on November 19 and 20 from Noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Northern State Correctional Facility (2559 Glen Road Newport, Vermont).

Learn more about this benefit here!

Please email or call Joanne for an appointment here: Joanne@vseainsurance.com or 888-510-4467

Guaranteed Issue Term and Whole Life Insurance for VSEA Members!

WIA was asked by VSEA Benefits Administrator, Joanne Woodcock, to include the following in this week’s newsletter:

Aflac life insurance helps take care of your loved ones* immediate and future needs if you should pass away. Immediate needs can include burial/funeral expenses, uninsured medical costs and current bills and debts. Future needs could include income replacement, education plans, ongoing family obligations, emergency funds, and retirement expenses.

Aflac is insurance for daily living. It’s never easy to think about life insurance, but it can mean that your family will have added financial resources to help with ongoing living expenses. Aflac life insurance is designed to provide you and your beneficiary(ies) with cash benefits. The following options are available and can help provide peace of mind during a very difficult time.

  • Guaranteed-issue** – 10-year, 20-year, or 30-year Term Life coverage up to $50,000.

    … or Guaranteed-issue** Whole Life coverage up to $50,000.
     

  • Ability to borrow from the policy’s cash value to help pay medical expenses, college tuition, down payment on a new home, or any other bills you may have.

Apply Today – No health questions asked.  Ask your VSEA Insurance Benefits Advisor how an Aflac life policy can help you and your family.

Joanne Woodcock
VSEA Insurance Benefits
888-510-4467 (call me toll free)
Joanne@vseainsurance.com
Learn More Here

* 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

Bolton Valley Again Offering “Industry Rate” To VSEA Members On 2018-19
All-Access Season Passes

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.

Pricing:

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

 

VSEA Meetings/ Trainings/ Events:

 

Upcoming VSEA Chapter Meeting 

  • Waterbury Chapter
    Wednesday, November 28

    12:00 p.m.
    State Office Complex, Building A 
    Cherry C Conference Room
    Waterbury

    Questions: Contact Waterbury Chapter President Brett Pierce: brett.pierce@vermont.gov

 

Points of Interest:

 

Tennessee Experiments With Allowing More State Employees To Telework–And Is Liking The Results

Online site Governing featured a piece November 14 about Tennessee’s new approach to the workplace, called telework, which the site describes as "going far beyond traditional telecommuting. [Telework’s] not only making employees and managers happier, it’s saving the state millions of dollars."

From the story (https://bit.ly/2K0Ftbi):

In the [Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities] alone, 72 percent of employees telework most of the time. They’re all participating in the state’s ambitious initiative, called Alternative Workplace Solutions (AWS), to transform its workplace. It goes far beyond traditional approaches to telecommuting, in which employees occasionally work from home but still spend most of the time in a central location.

&

"In the first two years of implementation, AWS has racked up an impressive record of benefits. According to internal Tennessee surveys, 60 percent of managers say employees have improved productivity and 80 percent of employees say they have a better work-life balance. Participating agencies have recorded a 37 percent reduction in sick leave use, and the state estimates that the average employee is saving $1,800 a year on gas. By the end of this fiscal year, Tennessee says it will have likely cut its real-estate rental costs by $6.5 million. Next year, it plans to sell one of its downtown Nashville office buildings, which is no longer needed. That could give the state an extra $40 to $60 million."

What do you think about this concept VSEA?

Minnesota Corrections Officers Looking For Lawmakers’ Help To Reduce The Number Of Inmate Assaults Of COs

CorrectionsOne.com reports this week on Minnesota corrections officers and their union demanding action from lawmakers to reduce the number of assaults on COs by inmates.

From the story:

"AFSCME Council 5, the union representing 2,500 state corrections officers, has blamed the violence on a lack of political will at the Capitol.

Last year, the DOC lobbied for more state money to hire 187 new corrections officers. The agency received funding for only 15, said DOC spokeswoman Sarah Fitzgerald.

Now union leaders say 327 additional uniformed staffers are needed to ensure reasonable safety — a request that would cost at least $20 million.

A legislator deeply versed in the issue acknowledged that, until now, there had been little urgency with so many other pressing budget issues.

‘Fortunately, we hadn’t had this level of serious assaults in recent years, and it probably caused all of us … to be a little bit lax in recognizing the risk,” said Sen. Ron Latz of St. Louis Park, ranking DFL member of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. With the most recent deaths, the requests are likely to be met with more buy-in, he said.’"

Note: VSEA Corrections members are not immune to assault and are working with VSEA to sound an alarm at both the department and state level. 

CDC Reports A Disturbing Rise In Worker Suicides Nationwide 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a press release this week, announcing a new report on the worker suicide rate across the nation. The findings are alarming, showing the suicide rate among the US working age population increased 34 percent during 2000-2016

“Increasing suicide rates in the U.S. are a concerning trend that represent a tragedy for families and communities and impact the American workforce,” said Deb Houry, M.D., M.P.H., director, CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. “Knowing who is at greater risk for suicide can help save lives through focused prevention efforts.”

Suicide Risk Varies By Occupation

Top 3 major occupational groups by suicide rate among males in 2015

  1. Construction and Extraction
  2. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
  3. Installation, Maintenance, and Repair

Top 3 major occupational groups by suicide rate among females in 2015

  1. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
  2. Protective Service
  3. Health Care Support

Among both males and females, the lowest suicide rate in 2015 was observed in Education, Training, and Library occupations.

This Week:

VSEA Week In Action Not Publishing Next Week

Friendly Reminder: Don’t Crowd The Plow!

VSEA NMU Members’ Online Ballot To Vote In Unit Chair Election Being Emailed November 23!

Special Events Committee Looking For Member Input On VSEA Annual Meeting 2019

And Congratulations Rep. Macaig…

VSEA Chittenden Chapter Gives Back To Community

VSEA’s Newest Board Member Officially Sworn In To Office This Week

Way To Vote Vermont!

Alliance For Retired Americans Hosting Post-Election Forum 

VTDigger Publishes Excellent Series This Week, Chronicling  The Implosion Of Vermont’s Mental Health Care System 

Told You’re Being Investigated?

November Is Health Care Plan Open Enrollment Time!

Help A Fellow State Employee By Donating Some Time To Your Unit’s Sick Leave Bank!

VSEA Insurance Representative In Newport Next Week!​

Guaranteed Issue Term and Whole Life Insurance for VSEA Members!

Bolton Valley Again Offering “Industry Rate” To VSEA Members On 2018-19 All-Access Season Passes

 

VSEA Meetings/ Trainings/ Events:

 

Upcoming VSEA Chapter Meeting 

 

Points of Interest:

 

Tennessee Experiments With Allowing More State Employees To Telework–And Is Liking The Results

Minnesota Corrections Officers Looking For Lawmakers’ Help To Reduce The Number Of Inmate Assaults Of COs

CDC Reports A Disturbing Rise In Worker Suicides Nationwide 

 

VSEA Reminders:

 

Complete Summary Of Changes Made To NMU, Corrections & Supervisory Units’ Contract

New Contract Printing Can Move Forward

What You Should Know About The Anti-Worker Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

What Is The VSEA Advantage Program?

 

VSEA Calendar:

November 17
Alliance For Retired Americans
Post-Election Forum

Unitarian Church
130 Main St.
Montpelier
10:00 a.m.

November 20
VPCH Workers Meeting w/Secretary Gobeille
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
3:30 p.m. 

November 22 & 23
Thanksgiving Holiday Observed
VSEA & Most State Offices Closed

November 23
NMU Electronic Ballots Being Emailed
Chair Election

November 25
VSEA Patriots / Jets Bus Trip

November 28
Waterbury Chapter Meeting 
State Office Complex, Building A 
280 State Drive
Cherry C Conference Room 
Waterbury
12:00 p.m. 

November 30
VSEA Foxwoods Bus Trip 

 

Complete Summary Of Changes Made To NMU, Corrections & Supervisory Units’ Contract

To view the comprehensive overview of all the changes made to the contracts covering VSEA members in the Non-Management, Corrections and Supervisory Units, please click here (PDF). 

Note: Members with specific questions about the new contract should contact a Steward or a Union Representative.

 

New Contract Printing
Can Move Forward Now

To date, the contract the VLRB ruled in favor of has not been printed or posted because, as many VSEA members and retirees know, VSEA and the State just completed VLRB-requested mediation. But now that mediation has concluded, and an agreement has been reached and the VLRB has approved it, it should pave the way for the new contracts to be printed and posted soon.

In the interim, members with specific questions about the new contract should contact a Steward or a Union Representative.

 

What You Should Know About The Anti-Worker Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

Thanks in advance for visiting VSEA’s Janus webpage to ensure you are an informed union member. 
 

 

What is the VSEA Advantage Program?

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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Have You Been Threatened
At Work? 

Send A Threat Report To VSEA

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VSEA Council Member?

Join the VSEA Council Facebook group here!

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VSEA Steward?

Join the VSEA Steward Facebook
group here!

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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