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Vote!
Tuesday, November 6!
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| There’s been a lot of calls from a lot of people, organizations and causes for Americans to get out and vote on Tuesday, November 6, and VSEA is no different.
VSEA’s Board of Trustees is reminding members and retirees about the importance of Tuesday’s election and your vote, especially since VSEA members are fortunate enough to be able to elect their own boss and other leaders who make key decisions regarding the way state government operates and who delivers services to Vermonters.
Once again, WIA is sharing VSEA’s 2018 endorsed-candidate list with members and retirees to use as a resource when you go to the polls or vote early.
VSEA’s 2018 Endorsed-Candidate List
Not sure where your polling place is?
View/ Download this PDF |
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| A friendly reminder to turn your clocks back an hour this weekend, as daylight saving time ends.
Enjoy the extra hour of sleep, if you’re able. |
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VSEA NMU Members Have Until November 9 To Self-Nominate To Run For Unit Chair
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| Members of VSEA’s largest bargaining unit, the Non-Management Unit, are eligible right now to run to become Chairperson of this important Unit. VSEA’s Elections, Rules and Nominating Committee is accepting self nominations right now.
Only members in good standing of the Unit and VSEA are eligible for election to this Unit office.
Role of the Unit Chair:
Shall conduct all business of the Unit during the interim between the Annual Meeting and between meetings of the Executive Committee; shall be a member of the Unit Bargaining and Master Bargaining Teams; preside at meetings of the Executive Committee and Unit Bargaining Teams; appoint Committees, serve as ex-officio member on all unit committees; and shall fill all vacancies in elected positions with approval of the Executive Committee.
If you are interested in running for Non-Management Unit Chair please send a letter of interest to Ray Stout at VSEA (rstout@vsea.org) no later than 4:00 p.m., November 9, 2018.
Please contact Ray Stout or ERN Chair Sandy Noyes (snoyes@vsea.org) with any questions. |
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Congratulations New Chittenden Chapter Officers
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| At this week’s VSEA Chittenden Chapter meeting, the following members were elected to the following posts:
President: John Davy, DVHA
Vice President: Denise Kall, DVHA
Treasurer: Bob Stone, DPS
Clerk: Vacant
Congratulations to all the winners! |
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VSEA Chittenden Chapter Collecting Food Donations For The Winooski Food Shelf And Fleet Feet
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Newly elected Chittenden Chapter President John Davy is participating in the “Run Your Can Off” run / food drive, and will be donating all collected goods in the name of the Chittenden Chapter!
What kinds of donations are accepted?
- Canned goods and non-perishable Thanksgiving/holiday foods;
- Other non-traditional items such as condiments, household cleaners, light bulbs, toilet paper and facial tissue are also in high demand; and
- You can donate your old running shoes, too! Fleet Feet, one of the event’s sponsors, has a program donating pre-owned running shoes with some life still left in them. (The shoes don’t have to be super clean, but shouldn’t have any tears in the upper or in the soles).
Where will the donations be collected?
Bins will be located in the following worksites:
- 108 Cherry Street | The Cafél;
- 289 Hurricane Lane | Upstairs Lobby | Badge access not needed; and
- 119 Pearl Street | Economic Services Break Room
When does the drive start/end?
Bins will be in designated collection locations from November 1 – November 8!
Who can I direct questions to?
John Davy: davy.john.m@gmail.com or check out the event’s website.
John Says: "Take a second look in your pantry or pick up a little something extra while you’re at the grocery store! VSEA’s Chittenden Chapter is looking forward to dropping off some heartily filled bins!"
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Corrections Unit Members! TODAY Is The Deadline To Self-Nominate For Bargaining Team Seat
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Corrections members interested in running for a Bargaining Team seat are needed from each correctional facility and from each P&P office. To be considered, you must send your letter of interest to Ray Stout (RStout@vsea.org) no later than 4:00 p.m., today, November 2.
What Does A Bargaining Team Member Do?
Corrections Unit Bargaining Team members are expected to represent all their fellow VSEA colleagues at the bargaining table, with a focus on the employee’s area(s) of expertise. This requires you to reach out to VSEA members in your respective district to collect their ideas and then share them with the Bargaining Team, which will then work come to turn ideas and proposals into viable, concrete bargaining proposals.
Bargaining Team members receive leave time to attend six Bargaining Team meetings prior to negotiations, as well as leave time to sit down with the State to bargain. Note too that you may need to devote some of your own time after work as well.
This is a great opportunity to serve your fellow union members working in Corrections.
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Told You’re Being Investigated?
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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.
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State Treasurer Giving Pension Presentation At Next Week’s Central Vermont Chapter Meeting
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| Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce will be at the VSEA Central Vermont Chapter’s meeting next week to provide members with an education about the major differences between state employees’ current defined benefit pension plan and a 401K plan, as well as why it’s so important for employees and retirees to band together to protect the defined benefit plan.
Central Vermont Chapter
Thursday, November 8
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
5:00 p.m. |
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November Is Health Care Plan Open Enrollment Time!
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| 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 |
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VSEA Closely Monitoring Any & All Woodside Developments In Wake Of Commissioner’s Announcement On Federal Funding Loss
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VTDigger writes on November 1 about an email sent last week by DCF Commissioner Ken Schatz to VSEA members working at the Woodside facility for Vermont youths. In it, Schatz tells workers that the State will not pursue federal funding for the facility, writing, “This was a very difficult decision to make. I want to be clear that we have no plans to close Woodside. We are thoughtfully considering different options.”
Read Story
VSEA leaders, staff and, most important, frontline Woodside workers, have been attending meetings with AHS and DCF officials about the facility’s future, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions right now. Needless to say, all involved on VSEA’s behalf will be closely monitoring the debate and planning and then weighing in publicly on any and all developments.
VSEA is stressing how important it is to not turn the rehabilitation and care of Vermont’s most troubled youth over to a private firm only interested in profits and how to increase shareholder earnings.
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Quote Of The Week!
"I want to be clear that we have no plans to close Woodside."
DCF Commissioner Ken Schatz in a recent email exchange with Woodside’s VSEA members about the facility’s future, now that federal funding is no longer coming. VTDigger reported on Schatz’s email this week.
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Guaranteed Issue Term and Whole Life Insurance for VSEA Members!
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| WIA was asked by VSEA Benefits Administrator, Joanne Woodcock, to include the following in this week’s newsletter: |
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| 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.
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 |
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* 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 |
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Bolton Valley Again Offering “Industry Rate” To VSEA Members On 2018-19
All-Access Season Passes
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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.
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| 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 |
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| VSEA Meetings/ Trainings/ Events: |
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Upcoming Organizer Worksite Meetings
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Brattleboro Retreat Workers Ratify New One-Year Contract
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VTDigger reports October 31 that workers at the Brattleboro Retreat have reached a deal on a one-year contract that goes into effect on November 1 and provides a 3% pay increase for all union staff and establishes additional “market based” wage increases for registered nurses and mental health workers. Mental health workers will now receive a minimum starting wage of $15 per hour under the new contract.
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So It’s Millennials That Some Vermont Politicians Seek…
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Every recent campaign season, a handful of Vermont candidates begin reminding about our state’s aging population and the need to "change the demographic" by attracting millennials to Vermont.
Well, if it’s millennials you want to bring to Vermont, here is some useful research from just the past few years about what the millennials believe in and are looking for in a career–and all the signs point to embracing unions and protecting defined benefit pension plans.
2016 – Gallup poll finds 87 percent of millennials labeled ‘professional or career growth and development opportunities’ as important in a job.
2017 – Fact Tank report by Pew Research Center reports that adults younger than 30 are much more likely to have a favorable view of unions than of corporations.
February 2018 – Young Americans are rediscovering unions. According to the Economic Policy Institute, 76 percent of new union members in 2017 were under 35.
June 2018 – TD Ameritrade releases data, finding 28 percent of millennials asked believe they will never be able to retire. They are actively seeking solid retirement benefits.
August 2018 – Project Time Off finds millennials are the worst in terms of taking available vacation days, averaging 14.5 days. Gen X takes 17.9 and Baby Boomers 19.8. Many millennials believe a strong union contract will help the situation.
September 2018 – Pew Research Center reports that millennials are now the largest generation in the labor force.
October 2018 – New report from the Society for Human Resource Management compares 300 benefits offered by private companies versus those offered in the public sector, and the report’s authors point out they did so because states are “increasingly using benefits to attract workers.”
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Teachers’ Unions Report Small Drop In Membership Nationwide-Post Janus
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| According to a story POLITICO posted online this morning, teachers’ unions nationwide are not shedding members in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s infamous Janus lawsuit ruling earlier this year, as predicted.
From the story:
Teachers unions appear to have dodged a serious blow to their political activity and membership rolls following a sweeping Supreme Court ruling earlier this year, defying predictions that the unions’ traditional campaign organizing in advance of the midterm elections could be devastated.
Nine union leaders in eight states interviewed by POLITICO reported modest but anticipated drops in membership since the court decision, in addition to the loss of thousands of non-members who used to pay mandatory union fees. At the same time, union leaders reported an uptick in members attending rallies, canvassing neighborhoods and phone banking for the midterms, though the teachers unions’ national rankings in political giving to candidates slipped.
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Despite Alleged "Booming" Economy, Study Finds Few Americans Are "Financially Healthy"
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| The Los Angeles Times reports on November 1 that many Americans are not enjoying the spoils of the nation’s alleged economic boom.
From the story:
The survey, called the Financial Health Pulse, found that only 28% of American households are financially healthy, meaning they are in control of their spending, are saving money, don’t have too much debt and are planning for the unforeseen.
An additional 55% are financially coping — struggling in a few areas, but doing OK in others — while 17% are classified as financially vulnerable, meaning they are struggling with most aspects of their financial lives.
Jennifer Tescher, CFSI’s chief executive, said the goal of the survey, which the group plans to do annually, is to get a sense of how Americans are doing without relying on the kind of high-level economic data that policymakers typically focus on.
“There’s this rosy-eyed view of what’s going on in the economy that does not comport with what’s going on on Main Street,” she said. “There’s a significant disconnect between the data and people’s lives.”
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| VSEA Meetings/ Trainings/ Events: |
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| Upcoming Chapter Meeting
Upcoming Organizer Worksite Meeting
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November 6
Election Day
Vote!
November 6
Safety, Health & Maintenance
Committee Meeting
DOL
Conference Room
5 Green Mountain Dr.
Montpelier
1:00 p.m.
November 7
VSEA Organizer’sWorksite Meeting
AOE
219 N. Main Street
Third Floor Conference Room
Barre
12:00 p.m.
November 8
NEK/St. Johnsbury
Chapter Meeting
St. Johnsbury DCF / P&P Office
1016 U.S. Route 5
St. Johnsbury
12:00 p.m.
November 8
Central Vermont
Chapter Meeting
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
5:00 p.m.
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| Complete Summary Of Changes Made To NMU, Corrections & Supervisory Units’ Contract |
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| 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. |
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New Contract Printing
Can Move Forward Now |
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| 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. |
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| What You Should Know About The Anti-Worker Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court Ruling |
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Thanks in advance for visiting VSEA’s Janus webpage to ensure you are an informed union member.
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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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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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