Executive Branch Bargaining Teams Heading To Mediation!
 

Read VSEA Labor Relations Director’s October 4 Bargaining Update

Labor Relations Director Gary Hoadley has posted a new meeting summary on VSEA’s website. Hoadley’s summaries are 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 "Members Only" drop-down menu, located in the homepage’s left-hand column. You can expand a drop-down from there and select "Negotiation Notes From VSEA Director of Labor Relations Gary Hoadley" or you can click "Member-Only Documents" and then on the following page, click the same heading.

Gary Hoadley’s "Negotiation Notes"
Log-in Required

Mediation Dates Scheduled:

• Wednesday, October 16; and
• Tuesday, October 22

• View contact information for your bargaining unit here.

VSEA Circulating Petition To Increase Funding For State Colleges

Here’s what the petition says:
 

VTDigger Reports On State Colleges’ Payroll Issues

WIA featured a story in last week’s edition from the Castleton University student newspaper about State Colleges’ staff and students receiving incorrect paychecks due to bugs in new payroll software the Chancellor’s office implemented statewide earlier this year. This week, VTDigger picked up the story as well, and VSEA VSC Staff Federation Unit Chair Sandy Noyes is featured in the piece.

From the story:

“It is very serious when there is a problem with someone’s pay,” VSEA VSC Staff Federation Unit Chair Sandy Noyes tells VTDigger. “We are trying to get through the payroll system problems in addition to convincing the state that colleges need better funding so we can keep present and future generations in Vermont.”

Noyes adds there have also been issues with the payroll system affecting deductions for employees’ health care, retirement and taxes. There have been errors in calculations for sick pay, and some instances of health care deductions being doubled.

Bennington Chapter Food Drive Underway!

• Low sodium, low sugar, and whole grain items preferred;
• Canned or dry beans;
• Canned fish or meat;
• Canned vegetables;
• Canned fruits;
• Canned soups & chili
• Peanut or almond butter;
• Grains;
• Boxed mac & cheese;
• Pasta and sauce;
• Hot or cold cereal;
• 100% juice and juice boxes;
• Paper towels and toilet paper;
• Diapers and formula; and
• Toiletries, including feminine products.

Collection bins are located at State Offices.

Chapter Also Seeks Parade Marchers

If you are willing and available to participate with other VSEA members in the Bennington Veterans Day Parade please contact Chapter President Victoria Thorpe (vthorpevsea@gmail.com) or Chapter Vice President Gina Condo (ginahalona1@gmail.com). Thank you!

Attention VSEA Stewards!

The additional training date is: 

• November 18 – South Burlington, Holiday Inn, 1068 Williston Road

This training begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. Attendees need to provide their own lunch.

It is important to register early, as this training is also limited to 25 attendees.

If interested—and to ensure you get a place—please visit this page to fill out and submit your registration form. The deadline for Stewards to let VSEA know is Friday, October 11. 

Non-Management Unit Appoints New Vice Chair

"I have found Brad to be a reasonable person who with a size 17 shoe is not afraid to put his foot down to protect NMU members’ rights," Stone tells WIA. "He is cool under pressure and his ability to work with everyone on our team is appreciated. Congratulations to Brad, I have no doubt that he will  do a great job for all of us."

AOT Inspecting 15 Southern Vermont Bridges Constructed By Private Contractor "Well Known For Cutting Corners"

From a 10/4 Berkshire Eagle story:

AOT also received information in 2016 that it was "well known in JA McDonald for shorting people their wages … and for cutting corners, such as cutting repair and bolt heads.

"We learned about the issues on the Bristol bridge from a whistleblower," explains Wayne Symonds, the chief engineer for the Agency of Transportation’s Highway Division.

Coming Next Week! Info On Open Enrollment In VSEA’s Popular Delta Dental Supplemental Plan 

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. 
 
Learn More About VSEA’s Insurance Benefits

Two Union Representative Job Openings At VSEA HQ!

Position: VSEA Union Representative
 
General Work Performed:

Reports to the Director of Field Services and Executive Director.  This is a professional labor relations position whose primary responsibility is to provide member representation in internal investigations, Loudermill proceedings and contract administration and enforcement.
 
Specific Areas of Responsibility:

• Administration and enforcement of seven (7) collective bargaining agreements negotiated by VSEA (Non-Management, Corrections, Supervisory, State Colleges, Judiciary, Defender General and Housing Authority). Position responsible for case assessment, complaint and grievance activity, representation for internal employment investigations. Handles all aspects of work relating to membership services in an assigned field area, including, but not limited to responding to phone calls and e-mail inquiries in a timely manner. Responsible for research, writing, preparation and presentation of grievances filed at Step 1, 2, and 3 of the grievance process, while ensuring that deadlines are met.Prepares cases for review by the VSEA Legal Committee.
   
• Provides professional representation in Loudermill pre-termination hearings.
   
• Negotiates stipulation settlement agreements on behalf of members under the direction of VSEA General Counsel and Director of Field Services.
   
• Assigned to one or more local and/or statewide labor management committees as a staff liaison, providing advocacy and support for member run labor teams.
   
• Responsible for regular worksite visits, and member contact in assigned territory or unit. Works with Chapter members and leadership to build union visibility and strength.Coordinates with other departments under the direction of the Director of Field Services or Executive Director to assist with internal organizing, recruitment of members and member leader recruitment and development.May assist in internal or external organizing projects upon request of Director of Field Services or Executive Director and in collaboration with the organizing department.
   
• Responsible for timely processing of paperwork and monthly reports, as assigned by Director, including, but not limited to monthly case review reports, timesheets, and expense reimbursements forms.
   
• Participation in professional development opportunities to enhance labor relations expertise and knowledge as offered or required by the Director of Field Services.
   
• Attends meetings on behalf of VSEA as directed by the Director of Field Services or Executive Director.
   
• May be assigned to act as a staff liaison to VSEA Standing Committee(s) or Executive Committee(s).
   
• May be required to attend local Chapter meetings as directed by the Director of Field Services or Executive Director.
   
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Field Services or Executive Director.

Stand With Bennington College Workers In Contract Battle. Sign The Petition!

Two Bennington College alumni penned a commentary that posted this week to VTDigger, calling on Bennington College management to come to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith with its workers; something that hasn’t been the case to date.

From the story:

There is a workers’ rights crisis at Bennington College. Every four years, Service Employees International Union (SEIU Local 200), which represent workers in the buildings and grounds, housekeeping, and dining services departments, bargains with the college over the key issues of health care and wages. Other issues on the negotiating table are holiday time, formalizing job descriptions, and respecting seniority. The negotiation of a union contract, or collective bargaining agreement, involves two committees — one that represents management interests and one that represents the interests of union members.

The union contract was up on June 30. Without a contract in place, Bennington College workers feel the anxiety of job insecurity, working without explicit protections, the potential to expand subcontracting, and coming into work to find that their jobs have been replaced. The college and the union have only met twice since the 30th, in part because the college has cancelled or postponed meetings three times. By cancelling bargaining dates, the college has demonstrated their lack of concern for workers’ time, not taking into account that union members may have to spend money on child care or take time off of their supplementary jobs to attend negotiations. Two weeks ago, the college bargaining committee cancelled a major negotiation meeting with little notice, right off the heels of trying to push back negotiations a year. Meanwhile for workers, the emotional and monetary toll of postponing negotiations is adding up. Everyone needs livable wages and adequate health care at the very least, but Bennington College is making increasingly clear that these rights are not guaranteed to their employees.

VT Machinists Local 2704 On Strike In Williston. Join The Line!

Members of Machinists Local 2704 are walking picket lines daily from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at 94 Avenue C, Williston. Please stop by to show support, and ask your colleagues to do the same.

UAW Workers Reject GM Contract Offer. Strike Continues

According to the story, union bargainers rejected the offer "because it took money from other places to fund profit-sharing, and it didn’t give temporary workers a clear path to a full-time job."

Mother Jones At Barre’s Old Labor Hall Tonight

Here’s a description of the show from its Facebook page:  

This is the Vermont premier of "Mother Jones In Heaven", a musical by long time friend and benefactor of the Old Labor Hall Si Kahn.

The story of Mother Jones forcefully reminds us how powerful one person can be in service to the betterment of others. The topic is as timely today as it was when Mother Jones was organizing the working class at the turn of the last century.

More Information

Tickets: $25 ($20 students, union members, seniors) in advance online or at the door.