Contract Ratification Vote Result Being Certified Monday Morning

The deadline for VSEA members belonging to the Executive Branch Units (Non-Management, Supervisory and Corrections Units) to vote yay or nay on the tentative agreement is this afternoon at 4:30 p.m.

VSEA’s Elections, Rules and Nominating Committee will be at headquarters first thing Monday morning to certify the vote count, after which, VSEA will immediately post the results to the union’s:

• Web Page;
   
• Facebook page;
   
• Twitter page; and
   
• Instagram page.

VSEA Pension Fight Tour To Continue

• View the "VSEA Retirement Security Fact Sheet" online

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VSEA Investigating Attack On Springfield CO

Another Example Of Why Improved DOC Safety & Security Is A Priority!

From a November 20 WCAX story

According to a police report, an inmate attacked an officer at the Southern State Correctional Facility with a blunt object. While that was happening, two more inmates attacked a third inmate. An officer user pepper spray to control the situation.

Since learning of the attack, VSEA has had staff at the facility, checking on the members there and working to gather all the facts to determine next steps, in consultation with VSEA Corrections Unit leaders. 

Here’s what VSEA told WCAX (we’ve changed from an association to a union, it appears):

The Vermont State Employees Union, which represents corrections officers, said it is extremely alarmed. Union staff are talking with DOC workers to determine from their perspective what exactly happened and if the DOC is being factual with the public about the severity of the attack.

"We’ll also be asking DOC about things like staffing levels and shakedown frequency. I would expect we’ll have more to say soon," said VSEU President Dave Bellini in a statement.

Safe Ratio? 

This is also an interesting pull from the story:

[DOC Commissioner Michael] Touchette says the incident happened in the close custody unit at the Springfield prison, where there is a higher level of security. "This has more staffing then the typical correctional units around the state," he said.

Two officers staff the unit, which can hold up to 50 inmates.

Note: 2 to 50 in a unit with higher security than most? Makes you wonder. 

Photo: VTDigger

State Seeking Input On 2021 Budget 

Given the State’s charge this summer to department and agency heads to come up with a 20% reduction in spending by August 30 (VTDigger, June 2019: State Asks Agencies for Plan to Cut Growing Spending Gap by 20% ) to "help close the gap between the projected growth in spending and available revenues," VSEA members are urged to share any and all cost-savings ideas you have with the State.

The State’s is asking Vermonters with input to submit comments about state expenditures through an online forum and survey.  

Nearly 800 Have Signed VSEA’s Petition To Increase State College Funding. Have You Signed Yet?

To demonstrate how much our state colleges mean to Vermonters, VSEA is urging members, retirees, and the public to sign the union’s online petition, which calls on state officials and lawmakers to immediately increase VSC funding.

Chapter Meetings:

• Waterbury
  Monday, December 2
  State Office Complex 
  280 State Drive
  Oak Conference Room
  Waterbury 
  12:00 p.m.

JFK’s Words Still Ring True Today, 56 Years After His Tragic Assassination

In remembrance of the tragic November 22, 1963, assassination of President John F. Kennedy, WIA is sharing this 1960 Kennedy quote about labor unions. His words still ring true today. 

Those who would destroy or further limit the rights of organized labor–those who would cripple collective bargaining or prevent organization of the unorganized–do a disservice to the cause of democracy.

Fifty years or so ago the American Labor Movement was little more than a group of dreamers, and look at it now. From coast to coast, in factories, stores, warehouse and business establishments of all kinds, industrial democracy is at work.

Employees, represented by free and democratic trade unions of their own choosing, participate actively in determining their wages, hours and working conditions. Their living standards are the highest in the world. Their job rights are protected by collective bargaining agreements. They have fringe benefits that were unheard of less than a generation ago.

Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor. But their work goes beyond their own jobs, and even beyond our borders.

Our unions have fought for aid to education, for better housing, for development of our national resources and for saving the family-sized farms. They have spoken, not for narrow self-interest, but for the public interest and for the people.

Central Vermont VSEA Members Belonging To Hunger Mountain Co-Op Urged To Help Employees Get A Fair Contract!

Workers, belonging to UE Local 255–and working at the Hunger Mountain Co-Op in Montpelier–are holding information sessions with the public throughout central Vermont to talk about their contract struggle with Co-Op management and to seek the public’s support. 

The UE employees are currently working under the terms and conditions of an expired contract, and they say the situation is compounded by a breakdown in communication with management and a perceived lack of respect for the workers, in general. They say that, to date, management has proposed raises of just 7-cents-per-hour and is insisting that any future raise be tied to employees giving up paid holidays, or, as they say, "paying for their own raise."

To learn more about how you can help the Hunger Mountain Co-Op workers, message them on their Facebook page or stop by the store and talk with a worker. 

Indiana Teachers Pack State House To Demand Increased Funding

From the story: 
 

Several thousand teachers wearing red surrounded the Indiana Statehouse on Tuesday to call for better pay and more respect from the Republican-dominated state government in a protest that closed more than half of the state’s school districts for the day.

Teachers chanted, “Fund our schools,” and “Put kids first,” as hundreds of them lined entrances to the Statehouse, many holding handmade signs with sayings such as, “Less Money on Testing, More Money on Students.” Teachers with marching band instruments played “We’re Not Gonna Take It” from the Statehouse steps.

Note: Teachers also protested last year in West Virginia, Oklahoma and Arizona.

Kentucky Teachers Will Lead Newly Elected Governor’s Inaugural Parade!

Recognizing how important unionized teachers were to his election, newly elected Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear recently announced that teachers will be at the head of his December 10 inaugural parade. 

“In my first inauguration announcement, I want to show my appreciation for our public educators, who work tirelessly, every day to improve the lives of our children and lift up our communities, and that is why I am naming them inauguration parade grand marshals,” Beshear said.

Blog Post

Working Vermont Hosting January 2020 Event With AFT’s National President Randi Weingarten 

Working Vermont (a coalition of Vermont labor unions, including VSEA) is pleased to be hosting a reception for national American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten. 
 
Here are the details:
 
AFT Randi Weingarten Reception
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
State House Cafeteria
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.