First Mediation Session For VSEA Executive Unit Bargaining Teams Leads To Second
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| Members of VSEA’s Non-Management, Corrections, and Supervisory Unit Bargaining Teams sat down at the table with the State and a federal mediator on October 16 to begin a new phase of the negotiating process, which is mediation.
VSEA Labor Relations Director Gary Hoadley, in his most recent "Negotiation Notes," explained the status of negotiations this way, "Negotiations are now in the ‘bargaining impasse’ stage of mediation that provides the State and VSEA another opportunity to reach a negotiated settlement at the bargaining table. If mediation cannot narrow [VSEA & the State’s] differences and produce a tentative agreement pending your approval, VSEA must then present our proposals to a neutral fact-finder."
Hoadley’s post today about Wednesday’s first mediation session can be found in the "Members Only" section of VSEA.org. Only registered users can view. Register Here
After logging in to VSEA.org, registered members can navigate to the “Quick Links” panel in the left-hand column of VSEA.org. From there select “Negotiation Notes”.
Gary Hoadley’s "Negotiation Notes"
Log-in Required
Next Scheduled Mediation:
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| Have a question about bargaining?
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State Announces There Will Be No Health Care Premium Rate Increase In 2020
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| Clark Collins, the State’s Deputy Director of Benefits and Wellness recently sent a letter to VSEA Executive Director Steve Howard that read, in part:
Per Articles 49(9)(c), 53(9)(c), and 54(9)(c) of the respective labor agreements between the State of Vermont and the Vermont State Employees Association (VSEA) regarding the State’s Medical plans, this letter serves as formal written notice to VSEA that we anticipate a surplus in the plan fund at the end of 2019. Additionally, the premium rates for each of the medical plan options for active employees and retirees will not be increased for the new plan year starting on January 1, 2020.
Note: Members of VSEA’s Benefits Advisory Committee will be reviewing the calculations that prompted the State’s decision at an October 25 meeting, in addition to other items. If needed, WIA will share an update from that meeting soon after. |
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Secretary Of State’s Commentary Promotes Making Public Records Accessible To The Public!
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As an organization that is known to file public records requests on behalf of its members, or groups of members, VSEA applauds a recently published commentary by Secretary of State Jim Condos, which is a strong rebuke of the Attorney General’s recently announced policy to charge a fee to members of the public to photograph public records.
From Condos’ commentary:
Under Vermont’s Public Records Act, government must provide the public with access to its records unless those records are protected from disclosure by the specific exemptions in the Act.
I was disappointed to hear that the Vermont Attorney General’s office has adopted a policy of charging members of the public to take photographs, with their own devices, of the public records they are inspecting. I believe that the law is crystal clear; this interpretation is not only wrong, it reduces transparency, and places undue burdens on Vermonters.
Judge Crawford’s 2011 Superior Court decision in Vermont State Employees’ Association v. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, found that while there may be burdens in making public records available for inspection, those burdens fall to government, not to the members of the public seeking access to those records.
Note: VSEA members, retirees and staff have sometimes been banned from photographing public records in some state agencies and departments, so Condos’ viewpoint is appreciated.
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First Unclaimed Vermont Veteran Interred, Thanks To Rep. Bob Hooper’s Legislation
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| Rep. Hooper (tan coat with patch) and past-VSEA leader Tom Giffin (holding flag) and Senator Cheryl Hooker at last Friday’s special ceremony. |
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As reported in WIA last week, State Representative and VSEA Retirees’ Chapter President Bob Hooper and Marble Valley Assistant Superintendent and past VSEA leader and activist Tom Giffin were at the Vermont Veterans’ Cemetery in Randolph on October 11 to participate in a special ceremony to inter the first-ever unclaimed Vermont veteran. The ceremony was for WWII Navy sailor Fredrick E. Armstrong, who is now interred at the cemetery thanks to H. 394; an act Rep. Hooper championed and passed in last legislative session, relating to the disposition of the remains of veterans.
Mr. Armstrong’s burial flag was presented to Hooper and Giffin in appreciation for their lead roles in the effort to ensure Vermont’s unclaimed veterans are not forgotten.
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WPTZ Story
H. 394 permits a funeral director, crematory operator, or the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to have the unclaimed cremated remains of a deceased veteran interred at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery if at least 180 days have passed since the remains were cremated, there is no claimant for the remains, and the deceased veteran is eligible to be interred at the cemetery.
Note: Great job Bob and Tom–and everyone involved.
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UMass Labor Center’s "Visions Of Labor" Conference Coming In November
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| The VSEA Board of Trustees is reminding members and retirees about a UMass Labor Center conference coming in November, titled "Visions of Labor: Film and Worker Voices." The conference will take place November 9-10, 2019, at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
According to a conference website page, "Together, as workers and social justice activists, we will watch and discuss new and classic labor films, along with worker-created videos, as we explore the power of worker stories and how these stories can be used to inspire reflection and spur creative action. You’ll also have the opportunity to get a sneak preview of a major labor film in-progress, and hear from the film’s award-winning director. The films and videos shown will reflect the diversity of the labor movement and working people, and our discussions together will highlight the many ways in which worker voices can be effectively heard."
Conference Information & Registration Page
Note: Sorry. No financial assistance is being offered to members who attend the conference. |
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VSEA Circulating Petition To Increase Funding For State Colleges
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| VSEA is now circulating a hard-copy petition to increase Vermont State Colleges’ funding, and an online version of the petition has also been posted for members, retirees and the public to sign.
Here’s what the petition says:
Every Vermont State College (VSC) in the system has been going above and beyond for decades to provide Vermonters and our families with a quality education that leads to gainful employment–often right here in Vermont. However, recent news of the serious financial pressures that are currently clouding every VSC campus’ future are of great concern, and they must be addressed now with adequate funding and a renewed commitment by our elected officials and lawmakers to protect Vermont’s valued institutions of higher learning.
By signing this petition, I am joining those who are calling on the VSC Chancellor and our elected officials and lawmakers to increase funding NOW for our Vermont State Colleges!
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VSEA’s Popular Delta Dental Supplemental Plan Open Enrollment Is Now!
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| For VSEA members who are not currently enrolled in your union’s Northeast Delta Dental Supplemental Program, you should have received an email recently from VSEA with information about the plan’s 2020-2021 open enrollment period. The VSEA supplemental program is designed to enhance your current State-provided dental insurance benefit. VSEA non-members were also emailed the information, in hopes the benefit will prompt them to join their union.
This enrollment period is also when members already in the program can amend their number of dependents also using the program, if this number has changed in the past year. You also received an email this week with details about how to update your information.
Very important! This email was sent to the primary email address that VSEA currently has on file for you. If you did not receive the Delta Dental email–or don’t recall receiving it (sent on October 10)–please look in your “Other” or “Spam” folders before contacting headquarters to request the information.
Learn More About VSEA’s Insurance Benefits |
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Quote Of
The Week!
"Judge Crawford’s 2011 Superior Court decision in Vermont State Employees’ Association v. Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, found that while there may be burdens in making public records available for inspection, those burdens fall to government, not to the members of the public seeking access to those records."
Line from a commentary posted online this week by Vermont Secretary of the State Jim Condos, who has rightfully come out strong against a recent decision by the Attorney General to charge the public to photograph public records.
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UAW & GM Reach Tentative Agreement
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Several news outlets reported this week that the United Auto Workers and General Motors reached tentative agreement on Wednesday on a new contract.
In a statement circulated by UAW President Gary Jones, he says: "I could not be prouder of our brothers and sisters, our National Negotiators, and the National Council as they continue to fight one day longer to secure the best deal for our members."
The deal was hammered out Wednesday but it won’t immediately end the workers’ month-long strike. Workers are likely to stay on the picket lines at least a few more days until union committees vote on the deal. The entire membership also must vote, which could be a two-week process.
The United Automobiles Workers’ proposed tentative agreement with General Motors Co. would give temporary employees a path to fully-vested employment, would not change healthcare plans and would eliminate the cap on profit sharing, according to a union contract summary.
The proposed contract would give 3% base-wage increases in the second and fourth years of the contract and would pay 4% lump-sum bonuses in the first and third years. A "record" ratification bonus of $11,000 would be paid to permanent employees, while temporary workers who have worked at least 90 days prior to the effective date would receive a bonus of $4,500 upon ratification. It would be paid in the second pay period following the agreement.
Here’s some of the recent press on the tentative agreement:
Note: Congratulations to the UAW members for getting this far!
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Members of the Chicago Teachers Union went on strike on Thursday as 27,000 educators began picketing near schools early that morning.
The union listed thirteen demands on its website, which include salary raises for all school employees, smaller class sizes, and hiring more support staff such as teacher’s assistants.
“Our students deserve smaller class sizes. They deserve nurses. They deserve social workers. They deserve bilingual educators,” special education teacher Linda Perales tells CNN.
Chicago Sun Times Live Strike Updates
Note: Solidarity with the CTU members!
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Fears Georgia Governor’s Cost-Savings Measures Will Cause Exodus Of Workers
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| The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports this morning on a cost-savings plan proposed by Gov. Brian Kemp that calls for departments and agencies to 4% spending cuts this year and 6% next year, and it’s causing great concern about Georgia’s ability to hire state workers moving forward.
From the story:
…lawmakers are receiving calls from state employees in their districts, wondering whether they’ll have a job, or be taking a pay cut, by the end of the year to meet the governor’s call for spending reductions.
“There is a lot of panic right now among rank-and-file workers,” state Rep. Al Williams, a Democrat from Midway and a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said at a hearing last month. “They are very concerned. It affects morale tremendously if a person doesn’t know if they are going to have a job in January.”
Danny Kanso, a budget analyst for the left-leaning Georgia Budget and Policy Institute and a former aide to then-Republican Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, said that’s not surprising.
“I think it’s hard to imagine, when you tell folks they are going to work more for less money, that morale is going to be up at these agencies,” Kanso said. “Some of these agencies already have high turnover rates. It’s not clear how they will be able to leave positions vacant. The question is, what are the consequences for Georgians?”
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Now, the question is whether the state will see another exodus because of how agencies are responding to Kemp’s demand for 4% spending cuts this year and 6% next year, and how many will be gone before the General Assembly returns in January to consider the impact of those budget reductions.
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October 21
Judiciary Unit Bargaining Team Meeting
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
8:00 a.m.
October 21
Chittenden Chapter Meeting
Department of Labor
Large Conference Room C
2nd Floor
63 Pearl St.
Burlington
Updates from Annual Meeting, Bargaining, and more, including pizza.
October 22
Possible Mediation: Executive Branch Bargaining Units |
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| Thank you for reading Week In Action! |
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| Fall 2019 Membership Drive! |
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| After a very successful membership-recruitment initiative this past summer, VSEA is excited to announce a new membership drive for the next quarter, or the fall of 2019.
Never forget that ongoing recruitment is vital to the strength of your union!
- Members who recruit TWO members will receive a VSEA insulated travel mug; and
- Members who recruit FIVE new members will receive a dues holiday for a month; and
- Members who recruit TEN new members will receive a check for $50!
Each time you recruit a new member during the designated period (September 1 – November 30, 2019), your name is entered into a drawing. Four names will be pulled at random and winners will receive a check for $100!
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
Help spread the word!
Download, distribute and post this flyer in your worksite! Thanks! |
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| WATCH: Video Of Keynote Speaker At VSEA’s Annual Meeting |
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| If you want to feel inspired, view and listen to the rousing "why unions matter" keynote address that UFCW Local 1445 President Jeff Bollen delivered to members and retirees attending VSEA’s 75th Annual Meeting on September 14. Bollen is a leader of the successful Stop & Shop strike in April 2019. |
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| Hundreds Have Already Completed The VSEA Workplace Safety & Security Survey!
Have You? |
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| Over 500 VSEA members have already taken the VSEA Board of Trustees’ survey to identify employees’ chief safety and security concerns. The Board is thanking all the members who already completed the survey and is reminding members who have yet to take it that there is still time.
The information gleaned from this survey will be useful at the State House in the upcoming session, as VSEA leaders, members and staff continue to make a strong push for improved safety and security for all state employees and the public-at-large who use Vermont services.
In addition to sharing the safety and security survey findings with lawmakers, VSEA will also be sharing them with the membership, the State’s Director of Safety & Security and with the state’s Joint Safety and Health Maintenance Committee. |
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| Bolton Valley Again Offering Discounted Ski & Ride Passes To VSEA Members! |
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| WIA was asked by Bolton Valley Group Sales Manager, Eric Davis, to include the following in this week’s newsletter: |
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Buy next year’s season pass now and:
- Get the lowest price of the year AND…
- Ski & Ride the rest of this season FREE!!! That’s right, if you buy next year’s pass now, you can join us for the rest of this season on next season’s pass!
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Pricing:
- Adult (18+):
Now through April 9: $379
April 9 – Oct 31: $399
Final Retail: $449
- Youth w/ Adult (7-17):
Now through April 9: $129
April 9 – Oct 31: $159
Final Retail: $179
- Youth (7-17):
Now through April 9: $175
April 9 – Oct 31: $199
Final Retail: $239
- Senior (65-74):
Now through April 9: $219
April 9 – Oct 31: $229
Final Retail: $239
- Child (6 & under):
Now through April 9: $29
April 9 – Oct 31: $29
Final Retail: $29
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To receive corporate pricing on Bolton Valley All Access Season Passes:
- First, log into your VSEA.org account and go this webpage to receive the VSEA discount code.
Don’t have a VSEA.org account? VSEA members can register a free account here.
- Go to www.boltonvalley.com/industry and click “Buy Online” to select the pass products you want
- In the Cart view, click on Add/Change Account button to set the passholder’s name and information to each pass product, then click Proceed to Checkout.
- Enter promo code in the field provided and then click Apply Code. The cart should be refreshed and show the discounted corporate pricing.
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Please contact me with any questions.
Eric Davis
Group Sales Manager
edavis@boltonvalley.com |
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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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| Told You’re Being Investigated? Watch This Video! |
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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 is asking VSEA 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 appeals to VSEA members to talk up the co-workers they know who might be preparing to retire. 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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