VSEA’s Week In Action Newsletter: September 20, 2019

At each VSEA Annual Meeting, the winners of five special awards are announced. The winners received the most votes from their peers in each of the categories. This year, three of the winners were present to receive their award. Pictured here (top, then clockwise–each with presenter Terry Lefebvre) are representatives of the Barre Chapter, Aimee Towne (ESD) and Robin Rieske (VDH). 

 

 

Recap Of VSEA’s 75th Annual Meeting

 

VSEA members met last Saturday in Ludlow at the union’s 75th Annual Meeting, and for members and retirees who could not attend, here’s a quick recap of what took place:

  • Announcement of newly elected officers, who are:

    Dave Bellini – President
    Aimee Towne – First Vice President
    Leslie Matthews – Second Vice President Jackie Hickerson – Treasurer
    Josh Cox – Clerk
     

  • Members approved an operating budget and approved raising member dues .25 cents per pay period. Formation of a dues-study committee was also discussed and approved, and it will be chaired by VSEA 2nd VP Leslie Matthews.
     
  • Members approved a change to a bylaw governing Board attendance.
     
  • Members adopted a "Climate Change Crisis" resolution, which was drafted by VSEA members and adopted recently by the Central Vermont Chapter. One of the resolution’s drafters, Bob Atchinson, introduced the resolution, which he said will provide members and retirees with "ways to respond" to the serious issue of climate change. He also stressed the importance of labor helping to champion this cause.
     
  • Members approved a resolution (unanimously) to name the large Board room at VSEA headquarters after longtime VSEA activist and leader (and baker!) Ruth Leithead, who is right now battling a very serious illness, which kept her from attending this year’s Annual Meeting for the first time in decades. NMU Chair Bob Stone introduced the resolution and shared a powerful passage about VSEA and union power from a piece Ruth had drafted in 2007. VSEA’s thoughts and prayers are with Ruthie.
     
  • Members elected Eric Davis and John Federico to the Statewide Retirement Board, as VSEA representatives. 

2019 Annual Meeting Award Winners

The following members, Chapter and staffer received special awards for their exemplary service to VSEA in the past year:
 

Frank Mazza Award – Aimee Towne
Terry Macaig Award – John Davy
Steward of the Year – Robin Rieske
Chapter of the Year – Barre Chapter 
Linda Coan Award – Carmen Scoles

Keynote Speaker:

Jeff Bollen, UFCW Local 1445 President

VIDEO COMING SOON!

Members and retirees in attendance at VSEA’s 75th Annual Meeting were treated to a rousing keynote address from UFCW Local 1445 President Jeff Bollen; a leader of the successful Stop & Shop strike in April 2019.

Thanks to everyone who took time out of their lives to attend this special anniversary Annual Meeting.

WATCH: 75 Years Strong! VSEA 2019 Annual Meeting Photo Slideshow

Winners Of VSEA’s Most Recent Membership Recruitment Drive Awarded Checks

If you’re a VSEA member who recruited a new member to your union during VSEA’s most recent membership recruitment drive, your name was entered into a lottery to win one of four $300 prizes. At last Saturday’s Annual Meeting, the winners were drawn, and they are:

  • Jason Brooker – AOT
  • Cindy Chornyak – DMH
  • Bryan LaBarge – Military Department
  • Bev Ordway – VPCH

Thanks to all the winners for recruiting new VSEA members to your union. Stay tuned for the next membership recruitment drive and your chance to win a prize.

Employees Tell VSEA What Worked And What Didn’t During And After The August 30 Security Scare At 133 State Street

VSEA representatives were at the 133 State Street Building on Wednesday to meet with state employees who wanted to talk with the union about the State’s handling of the possible person-with–a-weapon incident on August 30. Judging by the feedback, it’s safe to say that, while some safety and security measures in place did work as advertised, far too many others did not. 

Employees said that seeing a person wearing a vest that identified them as a designated safety warden was one thing they really appreciated, and this came from many of the employees who attended the meeting. However, there were some things that still need work  according to the employees, including:

  • More drills for employees and managers on emergency procedures. Employees report some managers were openly frustrated about not receiving a lot of direction or practice for these kinds of serious incidents from higher up;
     
  • Clarity about who should be contacted for guidance at the State level in these situations;
     
  • Clarity on the chain-of-command during an incident like this, from the State’s perspective. There was confusion in some places about who was in charge, both for the State and for all the responding law enforcement personnel; and
     
  • A remedy to the discombobulated messaging employees say occurred in many of the impacted agencies and departments, while the incident was being investigated.

VSEA is promising to follow up with the State’s Director of Safety and Security and members of the statewide Joint Safety and Health Maintenance Committee about the concerns workers’ voiced at the meeting. VSEA will also continue to lobby lawmakers hard for increased funding to address workers’ safety and security concerns, but, as we know, this is an uphill climb and will definitely require state employees to come to the State House to help make the case in the upcoming session.

Closed Stairways Are Safety Concern For State Employees At 120 State Street

WCAX reported this week on state employees safety concerns about closed stairways at the 120 State Street Building, especially after the recent scare across the street at the 133 State Street Building. 

From the WCAX story: 

"[DII employee Tavis] Morse and other state employees at 120 State Street — better known as the DMV complex — are asking what if? That’s because right now as part of the ongoing 120 State Street renovation project, two of the three staircases are closed off — the two exterior stairwells on both sides of the building. "I feel like they’ve removed some of our options," Morse said. "If a shooter walks into the building, pulls the fire alarm, and everyone just starts walking down the main staircase, we’re all sitting ducks."

But Department of Buildings and General Services officials say there’s a good reason for that. BGS originally designed a plan to reconstruct the west and east stairwells one at a time, but the fire marshal informed them that could cause security issues. The central staircase connects all five floors, but employees need cards to enter the doors on either side. State fire regulations would require those doors remain unlocked if one of the side towers stayed open, so employees from one side of the building could access the other.

"Everybody was in agreement that the plan that the fire marshal had put together for how they wanted this project to be constructed was the safest way to move forward," said BGS Commissioner Chris Cole. He says if an intruder enters the building, armed law enforcement officers could fend them off. Plus, he says the project should be finished by December or January. 

Still, employees like Morse say they feel the state is sacrificing safety to save time and money. "You see the ingredients for the perfect storm," he said.

But Cole argues that isn’t the case. "It had nothing to do about money and has everything to do with employee safety," he said.

After Tuesday’s fire drill, the security team will reassess the emergency plans and decide if they need to be changed.

State Colleges’ BOT Passes Resolution To Keep All Campuses Open & Operating

Several media outlets reported Thursday on a Wednesday meeting of the Vermont State Colleges’ Board of Trustees, where the Trustees passed a resolution to keep Northern Vermont University and Lyndon State College open and operating. The Board passed the resolution after local residents and business owners expressed fears about the college closing at a VSC-sponsored public meeting in Lyndon last week.

From a VTDigger story:

Officials aren’t looking to close Northern Vermont University’s campus in Lyndon, or to replace brick-and-mortar programs with the university’s online college, according to the head of the Vermont State Colleges system.

“We have not finished our assessment of our system to achieve the educational and fiscal results we hope to achieve,” Chancellor Jeb Spaulding said in a statement released Wednesday. “However, due to recent, unfounded rumors, we have addressed NVU first.”

The college system’s board of trustees passed a resolution that day affirming support for the “on-going unification efforts at thriving campuses in Lyndon and Johnson,” while Spaulding explicitly said no proposals had been made to disband either location.

Note: VSC Chancellor Jeb Spaulding emphatically stated Thursday morning on WDEV‘s Dave Gram Show that the December report referenced in the VTDigger story will not include any proposal to shutter a campus.

VSEA Labor Relations Director Posts New Bargaining Update

VSEA’s Non-Management, Corrections, and Supervisory Unit Bargaining Teams met jointly with State negotiators this week to conduct another session of "coordinated bargaining" on universal issues, like wages and benefits.

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
 

Bargaining Meeting Dates Added To The VSEA.org Calendar

NMU Bargaining Team Seeking New Vice Chair

VSEA’s Non-Management Unit is looking for a new Unit Vice-Chair (who also serves on the NMU Bargaining Team).

If this is a position that interests you, please submit a letter of interest by noon on Tuesday, September 24, to:

Bob Stone
NMU Chairperson
c/o VSEA
155 State St.
Montpelier, VT 05602

Email:
bob272vsea@gmail.com

The NMU contract contains language that permits Bargaining Team members to attend six meetings to prep for negotiations, using "union bargaining release time."

The NMU Executive Committee will meet to appoint a new Bargaining Team member, and whoever is appointed is expected to attend the next scheduled NMU Bargaining Team meetings.

Hundreds Have Already Completed The VSEA Workplace Safety & Security Survey. Still Time!

Nearly 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 (link below) 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.

 

VSEA Safety & Security Survey

Attention VSEA Stewards! 

Next VSEA Steward Training opportunity is:

Thursday, October 17
Vermont Veterans’ Home
Luke Crispe Room
325 North Street
Bennington
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
 

View PDF Agenda Here
 

Please RSVP to: gnaylor@vsea.org or call 802-262-1318.

AFLAC Insurance Enrollment:

Sign Up Through VSEA!

WIA was asked by VSEA Benefits Administrator, Joanne Woodcock to include the following in this
week’s newsletter:

It’s a good idea to keep your coverage up to date to reflect current income and family needs.

Your disability policy does not increase as your salary does. Please use this link to make an appointment, to discuss your options.
 

If you would like to schedule an appointment
please use this link.
 

I have attached our brochure with other benefits that are available.
(Opens/ downloads a PDF)

Please let me know if you have further questions.
 
Joanne Woodcock
VSEA Benefits Administrator
888-510-4467
Joanne@vseainsurance.com

Learn More About VSEA Insurance Benefits

You must be a full dues-paying member of VSEA to be eligible for this benefit. If you are not currently a VSEA member, you can sign up online.

Quote Of
The Week!

 

"There’s no chance. It’s not on the table.”

Vermont State Colleges Chancellor Jeb Spaulding, responding this week on WDEV”s Dave Gram Show to a question about a rumor that a much-anticipated December cost-savings report from the Chancellor will include closing  Lyndon State College.

Podcast

 

Upcoming Meetings:

 

Employee Appreciation Days

  • Bennington
    Tuesday, September 24

    11:30 a.m.
    State Office Building
    150 Veterans’ Memorial Drive
    3rd Floor Conference Room
    Bennington
     
  • Questions: Contact VSEA Organizer Danielle Warner: dwarner@vsea.org

  • White River Junction
    Thursday, September 26

    11:00 a.m.
    State Office Building
    118 Prospect St.
    First Floor Conference Room
    White River Junction
     
  • Questions: Contact VSEA Organizer David Oppenheimer: doppenheimer@vsea.org

Chapter Meeting

  • Bennington Chapter
    Tuesday, September 24

    5:00 p.m.
    Tap House Restaurant
    309 County Street
    Bennington
     
  • Questions: Contact VSEA Organizer Danielle Warner: dwarner@vsea.org

  • Bennington Chapter
    Wednesday, September 25

    12:00 p.m.
    DPS HQ
    45 State Drive
    First Floor Conference Room
    Waterbury
     
  • Questions: Contact Waterbury Chapter President Brett Pierce: brett.pierce@vermont.gov

 

Talking Points:

 

UAW Strikes GM! One Meme Explains Why.

Here’s some of the press generated by the UAW members going out on strike this week against General Motors:
 

Proposal To Make America’s Wealthiest Pay Their Fair Share Gaining Traction At The Federal Level

The Hill reports this week on a proposal drafted by Oregon Senator Ron Wyden–the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate’s tax-writing committee–that is designed to prevent the rich from avoiding taxes on their investment gains.

From the post:

[Wyden’s] plan would overhaul how capital gains are taxed to extend Social Security’s solvency.

Under Wyden’s proposal, capital gains and ordinary income would be taxed at the same rates. Additionally, those who have had more than $1 million in income or $10 million in assets in three consecutive years would be subject to new anti-deferral rules, such as being required to pay taxes annually on investment gains from tradable assets and being required to pay a lookback charge on nontradable assets when those investments are sold or transferred.

Under current law, people don’t have to pay capital gains taxes until they sell their investments.

Addressing that tax deferral ability “has to be a priority for tax reformers in 2021,” Wyden said at an event Thursday hosted by the Center for American Progress (CAP) Action Fund. The Oregon Democrat would likely become chair of the Senate Finance Committee if Democrats regain control of the Senate after the 2020 elections.

Wyden’s plan had been eagerly awaited by many left-leaning tax experts, since the senator had announced in April that he planned to release a paper on taxing wealthy people’s investment gains annually.

Frank Clemente, executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness, said it’s “historic” that the top Democrat on the Finance Committee put out a proposal that is as progressive as Wyden’s and that tackles structural reforms with the tax system.

“It’s a game changer,” Clemente said. “This is the direction that progressive tax reform has to go in.”

Note: Let’s hope Vermont lawmakers also revisit any and all proposals at the state level to ensure tax fairness across the board. It’s time for Vermont’s wealthiest, whose net worth has been shown to be increasing at a far faster rate (42%) than low-income Vermonters (6%), to pony up a little more.

Chicago Teachers & School Employees Get Ready To Strike

The website Chalkbeat posted a story this week about a possible strike soon by Chicago teachers, as well as a strike by special education classroom aides, bus aides and custodians.

From the story:
 

If teachers walk out, schools are likely to close altogether and families would have to find alternate arrangements for their children. If special education aides and bus aides strike, thousands of families could lose transportation and critical supports for children with special needs.

The same lawyer, James Franczek, represents the city in negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union and the support-staff union, the Service Employees International Union Local 73.

The earliest Local 73 workers could strike is Oct. 17 — just 10 days after the Chicago Teachers Union’s earliest strike date of Oct. 7.

Local 73 officials said the union rejected the fact-finder’s report because it didn’t suggest high enough raises for special education assistants. The union argues their starting salary of just over $31,000  is unacceptably low. The union also wants to prevent special education aides from being tapped to work as substitute teachers.

On the teacher negotiations front, Franczek sent a letter (leaked to the Chicago Tribune) to union officials on Friday accusing them of not responding to key proposals on health benefits, teacher evaluations, substitute teachers and grading practices.

 

This Week:

Recap Of VSEA’s 75th Annual Meeting

Winners Of VSEA’s Most Recent Membership Recruitment Drive Awarded Checks

Employees Tell VSEA What Worked And What Didn’t During And After The August 30 Security Scare At 133 State Street

Closed Stairways Are Safety Concern For State Employees At 120 State Street

State Colleges’ BOT Passes Resolution To Keep All Campuses Open & Operating

VSEA Labor Relations Director Posts New Bargaining Update

NMU Bargaining Team Seeking New Vice Chair

Hundreds Have Already Completed The VSEA Workplace Safety & Security Survey. Still Time!

Attention VSEA Stewards! Training Opportunity

AFLAC Insurance Enrollment: Sign Up Through VSEA!

 

Talking Points:

 

UAW Strikes GM! One Meme Explains Why.

Proposal To Make America’s Wealthiest Pay Their Fair Share Gaining Traction At The Federal Level

Chicago Teachers & School Employees Get Ready To Strike

 

Calendar:

 

September 24
Coordinated Bargaining: Executive Branch Units
C.A.P.S. 
Vermont College of Fine Arts Campus
Schulmaier Hall
32 College Street
Montpelier
8:30 a.m. – Caucus 
9:00 a.m.

September 24
Child & Elder Care Committee
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.

September 24
Employee Appreciation Day: Bennington 
Bennington State Office Complex
150 Veterans Memorial Drive
3rd Floor Conference Room
Bennington
11:30 a.m.

September 24
Bennington Chapter Meeting  
Tap House Restaurant
309 County Street
Bennington
5:00 p.m.

September 25
Judiciary Bargaining Team Meeting 
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.

September 25
NMU Bargaining
VTrans Training Center 114 A & B; 109
Barre-Montpelier Road
Berlin
9:00 a.m. 

September 25
Waterbury Chapter Meeting  
DPS HQ
45 State Drive
First Floor Conference Room
Waterbury
12:00 p.m.

September 26
Corrections Bargaining
C.A.P.S. 
Vermont College of Fine Arts Campus
Schulmaier Hall
32 College Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m. 

September 26
Supervisory Bargaining
C.A.P.S. 
Vermont College of Fine Arts Campus
Schulmaier Hall
32 College Street
Montpelier
1:30 p.m. 

September 26
Employee Appreciation Day: White River Junction
State Office Building
118 Prospect St.
First Floor Conference Room
White River Junction
11:00 a.m.

 

Important Reminders:

 

Bolton Valley Again Offering Discounted Ski & Ride Passes To VSEA Members!

VSEA BAC Members’ Update On Blue Cross Claims Issues

State Employees Who Are Threatened On The Job Should File "eAlert" Form

Told You’re Being Investigated?
Watch This Video!

What You Should Know About The Anti-Worker Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

Getting Ready To Retire? Retired Already? Join The VSEA Retired Members’ Chapter!

What Is The VSEA Advantage Program?

 

Thank you for reading Week In Action!

 

Bolton Valley Again Offering Discounted Ski & Ride Passes To VSEA Members!

WIA was asked by Bolton Valley Group Sales Manager, Eric Davis, to include the following in this week’s newsletter:

Buy next year’s season pass now and:

  1. Get the lowest price of the year AND…
     
  2. 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!

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

To receive corporate pricing on Bolton Valley All Access Season Passes:

  1. 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.
     

  2. Go to www.boltonvalley.com/industry and click “Buy Online” to select the pass products you want
     
  3. 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.
     
  4. Enter promo code in the field provided and then click Apply Code. The cart should be refreshed and show the discounted corporate pricing.

Please contact me with any questions.
Eric Davis
Group Sales Manager
edavis@boltonvalley.com

VSEA Benefits Advisory Committee Update On Blue Cross Claims Issues

VSEA’s Board and Benefits Advisory Committee, via WIA, recently messaged VSEA members and retirees about issues with Blue Cross / Blue Shield’s claim process. 

BAC Committee member Cindy Chornyak asked WIA to include this update this week, and we are happy to oblige.

Regarding the Blue Cross claims problems our health plan has experienced since January 1, 2019:  We want members to know that your VSEA representatives have been working closely with the State on your behalf to get these issues resolved. In May of this year, through the Benefits Advisory Committee, VRSEA Trustees and the VSEA members sent a strongly worded letter to the Commissioner of Human Resources, citing the many claim problems that our plan members have encountered.  We asked the State to assess the maximum performance penalties available under its contract with Blue Cross for the poor performance. And we are pleased to announce that to date in 2019, our health plan has assessed over $132,000 in performance penalties.

Recently VSEA learned of another newly discovered glitch in the Blue Cross claims system. Blue Cross has been assessing a $30 specialist co-pay for certain provider claims that should have a $25 regular co-pay instead. This can occur, for example, when a member sees a Nurse Practitioner instead of a doctor, which is fairly common these days. Our plan does not require that members choose a primary care physician. Claims by Nurse Practitioners or Physicians Assistants working with a physician should be covered the same as the physician’s claim.  

The State Benefits Office has asked Blue Cross for a date certain by which this glitch will be fixed and for a complete rundown of all state health plan members who have been impacted since January 1, when the new Blue Cross claims system came online. Blue Cross has promised that once the fix is in place, they will reprocess all affected member claims and fix any errors that might have occurred. Members do not need to take any action; any misprocessed claims will be reprocessed and correctly paid by Blue Cross. VSEA is closely monitoring this situation on your behalf as well.

Reminder: 
State Employees Who Are Threatened On The Job Should File "eAlert" Form

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.

Told You’re Being Investigated? Watch This Video!

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.

What You Should Know About The Anti-Worker Janus v. AFSCME U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

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

Getting Ready To Retire? Retired Already? Join The VSEA Retired Members’ Chapter!

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

What is the VSEA Advantage Program?

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

 

Need To Update Your Contact Information
With VSEA? 

Don’t Have
A VSEA
Union Card? 

Request A Green VSEA Union Card

Have You Been Threatened
At Work? 

Send A Threat Report To VSEA

Are You A
Council Member?

Join the VSEA Council Facebook group here!

Are You A
Chapter President?

Join the VSEA Chapter Presidents 
Facebook
group here!

Are You A
Steward?

Join the VSEA Steward Facebook
group here!

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

Questions? Comments?
Please fill out our feeback form:

VSEA’s Week In Action Feedback Form