Treasurer’s Public Pensions Symposium!

The Treasurer’s symposium has been temporarily postponed. VSEA will let members and retirees know the new date, once it’s set. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Speakers will include Treasurer Pearce and Boston University Professor of Law David Webber, the author of The Rise of the Working Class Shareholder: Labor’s Last Best Weapon.
 
VSEA members and retirees who are able are urged to attend this important symposium to educate yourself about the importance of workers’ defined benefit pension plans and then commit to join in Vermont labor’s fight to defend them from attack. Symposium will also expose many of the myths about 401Ks being the answer to workers’ defined benefit plans.

VSEA State Colleges’ Unit Chair Sends 
Congratulations And Thanks

VSEA Vermont State Colleges’ Unit Chair Sandra Noyes asked WIA to include the following:

"I want to send congratulations out to our Unit’s newly elected Vice Chair Billie Langlois. I know that Billie brings a lot to the table, based on her demonstrated leadership at our Castleton campus. I also want to thank outgoing Vice Chair Sarah Ballou for her years of hard work and sweat for our Unit while in office. And finally, big thanks to all the Unit members who took time to vote."

Attention Corrections Unit Members! Now Is The Time To Self-Nominate For Bargaining Team Seat 

Now is the time for interested VSEA Corrections Unit members to self-nominate to win a seat on your Unit’s Bargaining Team.

Corrections members interested in running 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., Friday, 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.

State Housing Authority Members Emailed Link To View New Contract

VSEA emailed members of the union’s State Housing Authority Unit this week to provide them with a link to view their new contract, which was recently negotiated and then overwhelmingly ratified.

VSHA Unit members can view your new contract here.

President Bellini Reminds About November Open Enrollment

"Now is a good time to review the details of both the Selectcare and Total Choice plans," says Bellini. "Retirees should too."

Learn More About State Employee Health Plans Here

VSEA & Vermont Veterans Home Workers Mourning Loss Of Longtime Employee

VSEA joined its members at the Vermont Veterans Home this week to mourn the death of 30-year VVH utility worker Scott Devenow (pictured above) at age 47.

Devenow was working in the VVH laundry area when a co-worker discovered him unresponsive last Thursday. Per their training, VVH staff began immediate life-saving measures before EMTs arrived on scene, but, sadly, Devenow passed away in the hospital five days later. 

VSEA representatives are working with VVH management to secure on-site help for any VVH worker needing to talk, or more. 

Deepest condolences to the entire VVH family and your residents.

Note: Here’s a sampling of some of the comments left on VSEA’s Facebook post about Scott this week:

Scott’s smile and Humor will never be forgotten. A Great guy. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone that needed one.
 
He certainly will be missed by all.
 
He always made me laugh in the 20 years I knew him at VVH. He will surely be missed by a lot of co-workers, friends and family, 
 
One of the most outgoing guys, he always would go out of his way to help a veteran, a member of the staff or a visitor. He will be missed. 
 
He definitely will be missed. He greeted me every morning with a good morning and that signature grin.
 
The highlight of my day for the past 30 years.

Photo: Provided by family

VSEA Union Representative Schedules New Round Of Vets’ Home Worksite Visits

VSEA Union Representative Rachael Fields asked WIA to share the following schedule of her upcoming, on-site worksite meetings with staff at the Vermont Veterans’ Home in Bennington.

Meeting dates are:

• Thursday, November 15
• Friday, December 14
• Thursday, January 10 (2019)
• Thursday, February 21 (2019)

Meeting times are:

• 6:30 a.m
• 1:00 p.m.
• 2:30 p.m.
• 3:30 p.m.
• 4:30 p.m.  

Rachael notes that LNA classes and mandatory sexual harassment trainings are limiting space availability and it will be difficult to change these dates. Please let me know if you have any questions.

If you have any questions, please contact Rachael Fields at (802)595-0150.

Continuing To Call All VSEA Campaign 2018 Volunteers!

In the weeks leading up to Vermont’s November 6 general election, VSEA Legislative Committee members, HQ staff and retirees will be soliciting for members and retirees who want to volunteer some time to assist candidates who have received VSEA’s endorsement and who deserve our support.

There are many ways for you to participate in VSEA’s Campaign 2018 activities, including:

• Participate in a VSEA- or candidate-sponsored phone bank;
   
• Participate in a VSEA- or candidate-sponsored honk-and-wave;
   
• Participate in a VSEA- or candidate-sponsored door-to-door canvassing effort;
   
• Participate in a VSEA- or candidate-sponsored candidate(s) rally;
   
• Educate your family, friends and colleagues about the candidate and his/her positions on issues important to VSEA members;
   
• March with a candidate in a parade;
   
• Volunteer to help at a candidate’s headquarters (if applicable) with things like answering phones, filing, assembling educational packets/mailings, etc.;
   
• Put a yard sign in your yard, or help the candidate distribute signs in your area;
   
• Host a candidate house party;
   
• Drive voters to the polls on Election Day;
   
• Pen a letter to the editor in support of VSEA-endorsed candidate(s); and
   
• Make a monetary contribution to a candidate(s).

If you would be interested in volunteering some time to help your union’s campaign 2018 efforts, please contact VSEA Organizing Director Ray Stout by email (rstout@vsea.org), or by phone at 223-5247.

IMPORTANT!! In order to keep members and retirees as up to date as possible on all VSEA’s Campaign 2018 activities, VSEA must have your updated HOME email address. VSEA cannot send emails of a political nature, such as campaign announcements about the union’s endorsed candidates, to state email addresses. If you are unsure, or don’t remember ever providing VSEA with your most up-to-date home email, please take time today to submit your name and home email address to VSEA@VSEA.org (please write “Home Email” in the subject space).

Today Is The Deadline For VSEA Non-Management Unit Members To Submit Your Online Unit Elections Ballot!

VSEA’s Elections, Rules and Nominating Committee is reminding all eligible members belonging to VSEA’s Non-Management Unit that your Unit elections ballot must be submitted by close of business, today, October 19.  

Non-Management Unit election ballots were emailed on October 5.

2018 General Election Early
& Absentee
Voting Underway

VSEA is joining with the Secretary of State’s office to remind Vermont voters that absentee ballots for the November general election are now available. If you can’t make it to the polls on November 6, or you don’t like dealing with the crowds or parking, the Secretary of State’s office has several options available to you to cast your vote ahead of time.

• SOS’s “Voting by Early or Absentee Ballot” Page

Book Today For VSEA Bus Trip To Foxwoods Casino For Two-Night Stay In Late November!

November 30 to December 2, 2018

There are still seats left on the bus for the VSEA Membership Recruitment Committee’s November trip to the Foxwoods Casino for a two-night stay.

More Information

To register or if you have a question, please email VSEA Union Representative Bob South (bsouth@vsea.org) or Administrative Assistant Sue DeVoid (sdevoid@vsea.org). Each can be also reached by phone at 802-223-5247.

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:

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

Upcoming Chapter Meeting

• Central Vermont Chapter
  Wednesday, October 24
  5:00 p.m.
  VSEA Headquarters
  155 State Street
  Conference Room
  Montpelier

  Questions: Contact VSEA Chittenden Chapter President Marion Allen: mdallen48@yahoo.com

• Chittenden Chapter
  Monday, October 29
  5:30 p.m.
  Halverson’s Upstreet Cafe
  16 Church Street
  Back Room
  Burlington

  Questions: Contact VSEA Chittenden Chapter Clerk John Davy: davy.john@gmail.com

Upcoming Organizer Worksite Meetings

• Montpelier – Tax Dept.
  Wednesday, October 24
  12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  133 State Street
  BGS Basement Conference Room (#021)
  Montpelier

  Important: You must be a member to attend this meeting, if you are not a member please sign up here!

  Questions: Contact VSEA Organizer Danielle Warner at dwarner@vsea.org. 

• Montpelier – VDOL
  Friday, October 26
  12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  5 Green Mountain Drive
  Green Mountain Lobby Conference Room
  Montpelier

  Important: You must be a member to attend this meeting, if you are not a member please sign up here!

  Questions: Contact VSEA Organizer Carmen Scoles at cscoles@vsea.org. 

Some State House Rooms Deemed "Unfit For Human Occupancy" After Mold Found

VPR reports on October 17 that mold has been found in 14 legislative committee rooms inside Vermont’s State House in Montpelier, and that BGS is labeling the rooms "unfit for human occupancy."

From the story:

Commissioner of Buildings and General Services Chris Cole says his department will have the problem resolved before lawmakers return for the legislative session in January, but estimates costs for the cleanup project will hit $500,000.

“We have to replace rugs, we have to replace books, we have to replace anything where we have surface mold,” Cole says.

The Vermont Statehouse is one of the oldest capitol buildings in the country, which makes it a fascinating place for tourists, but a beguiling one for building engineers.

Cole says the building’s “antiquated HVAC system” can’t heat up the outside air as it enters the interior of the Statehouse, which has created a moisture problem inside. “And that is not beneficial for the furnishings or anything else which could grow mold,” Cole says.

Cole says the hot, humid weather earlier this summer exacerbated the problem. Also, he says someone forgot to reset the temperature in the committee rooms to 72 degrees when lawmakers left town in late June. Instead, they remained set in the 60s, which led to even more condensation.

Right now, Cole says the 14 committee rooms affected by the mold aren’t safe for human occupants. He says his department will make sure they’re up to snuff before lawmakers return for the legislative session in January.

“It will be done before they come back,” he says. “It has to be done before they come back.”

Vermont’s Mental Health Designated Agency Workers Decry Lack Of Support, Resources & Pay

VPR reports this morning on Senate Pro Team Tim Ashe’s recent tour of Vermont’s "designated agencies" that treat Vermonters battling mental illness.


Ashe’s tour comes years after then-Gov. Peter Shumlin decided post-Irene (with legislative support) to switch Vermont to a more "community-based" mental health treatment system, which is theory is great, but, as VSEA and its DMH members warned at the time, it requires a lot more investment in the system, which has not happened.


From the story:


Daley’s worked at Lamoille County’s designated agency — one of 11 total scattered across the state — for 16 years.


“And I think one of the things that I’ve learned being here is that you’re always going to have to do one more thing, you’re always going to figure out how to make it work — and you’re not always going to have the dollars,” Daley said.


Recently however, Daley said it’s getting harder and harder to stretch those dollars to meet the need.


Ashe said his off-session tour of the “DAs,” as they’re known in the mental health industry, was inspired by their funding woes.


Designated agencies operate almost entirely on state funds, but they aren’t technically part of state government. And while government agencies and hospitals can generally count on annual increases in their base budgets, designated agencies, according to Ashe, haven’t enjoyed the same growth.


“We’re trying to dig out of … what has really been an unfair situation for a long time,” Ashe told about two dozen employees that had packed into a conference room for the Morrisville visit from him and Lamoille County Sen. Richard Westman.


Note: Time to organize?

Hundreds Of Oklahoma State Workers Suing For Wrongful Termination

The McAlester News-Capital reports on October 17 that more than 160 Oklahoma state employees intend to sue the state for wrongful termination, seeking a combined $3 million in compensation for mental, emotional and financial damages.

Nearly 200 Oklahoma Health Department employees were laid off because the Department reported a $30 million deficit, however "a six-month grand jury probe and a state audit found that the Health Department wasn’t actually short on cash. Instead, it discovered that bungled and inept internal financial oversight and management led to the perceived crisis—and nearly 200 unnecessary layoffs."

Some of the laid-off workers have already found new jobs with the state, some don’t want to return and others are still reeling from the initial layoff.

From the story:

Kimberly Mostrom, of Guthrie, said in a statement that she was seven months pregnant when she was laid off. Her health insurance expired 30 days before the birth of her child, and no one wanted to hire her that close to delivery.

“The emotional and financial stress played a major role in our daily lives,” she said. “We had to make many financial sacrifices to make ends meet. Now we owe thousands of dollars to the hospital. That wouldn’t have occurred if the insurance policy had still been in effect.”

Four Bomb Threats In Four Weeks Rattling 
Washington State Employees

The Olympian published a story this week about a rash of bomb threats targeting Washington state office buildings. There have been four threats in four weeks; the most recent being phoned in this Wednesday and forcing an evacuation of Attorney General’s Office workers.  

Police say they suspect the same individual of making the treats and report they are narrowing their search.

Note: Another reminder why enhanced state employee safety and health must continue to be front-burner issue for VSEA members.