VSEA Fall 2019 Membership Drive Launches!
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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
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Welcome To The VSEA Board!
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| Here are the new faces coming to the VSEA Board of Trustees on October 1:
District 1 Trustee – Barre, Central Vermont (includes Montpelier) Chapter Districts – Beth Aiken, Public Service Board
District 2 Trustee – Waterbury, Vermont State Hospital Chapter Districts – Brett Pierce, Department of Public Safety
Second Vice President – Dr. Leslie Matthews, Agency of Natural Resources
Clerk – Josh Cox – Department of Public Safety
Note: An orientation for the new Board members is being held on October 8. Welcome aboard!
All Board of Trustees’ Contact Information |
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Video Posts 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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VSC Employees & Students Not Happy With New Payroll System
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The Castleton University student newspaper, the Spartan, reports this week on Vermont State Colleges’ payroll issues after a decision was recently made to switch to a new, "cost-savings" payroll system (UltiPro). According to the story, it’s not going well.
From the story:
Chair of the Castleton [VSEA] staff union, Billie Langlois, says around 70 percent of those under her unit have come to her with issues.
“Confidence is not high,” she said shaking her head. “Everyone has been looking on Wednesdays in our union units and other units like, ‘Okay, what are we going to get paid this time?’”
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Flo Keyes, head of full-time faculty union, has not personally had pay issues, but has been serving as the conduit for those who have.
“I fail to see how a system that’s so incompetent is saving us money. I’d rather pay competent people on every campus,” Keyes said. “It’s really hard to deal with a faceless email as the only solution to problems that affect your ability to pay your bills.”
Keyes and Langlois both pointed out concern for the legal aspects that need to be honored – like union contracts that guarantee wages and benefits, and a law in the state of Vermont that requires employees to be paid within two weeks of having done the work.
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VSEA Labor Relations Director Posts September 27 Bargaining Update
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| 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:
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Working Hard For VSEA Non-Management
Unit Members
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Pictured here are members of the VSEA
Non-Management Unit (NMU) Bargaining Team, which met again this week in Berlin to continue negotiations with the State on a successor agreement.
Thanks for your service to your union
NMU Team! |
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Want To Literally Work For Your Union?
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| VSEA headquarters is hiring. If you’re a member who is interested in applying for the position listed below, please email your resume and a cover letter to vsea@vsea.org. Please write "Union Representative Position" in the email’s subject line.
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.
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Quote Of
The Week!
"I think the significance of some of the mental health issues we have seen in the last 4 to 5 years is different than what we have seen in the past.”
Vermont Department of Corrections Commissioner Mike Touchette, responding in a WCAX story this week to a question about what kind of treatment an incoming inmate with mental health issues can expect while incarcerated. Touchette’s observation is one that many DOC VSEA members share, and, mind you, frontline COs say they are not adequately trained to address some serious and sometimes dangerous situations.
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Organizer’s Worksite Meetings
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- Barre City Place
Wednesday, October 2
12:00 p.m.
Barre City Place
219 N. Main Street
Third Floor Conference Room
Barre
- Questions: Contact VSEA Organizer Danielle Warner: dwarner@vsea.org
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- Brattleboro
Thursday, October 3
12:15 a.m.
State Office Building
232 Main Street
First Floor Conference Room
Brattleboro
- Questions: Contact Brattleboro Chapter President Robin Rieske: rabiah@sover.net
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- 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
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- Springfield Chapter
Thursday, October 3
4:30 p.m.
100 Mineral Street
First Floor Conference Room
Springfield
- Questions: Contact Springfield Chapter President Joey Holmes: jholmes2013@comcast.net
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Mother Jones Coming To Barre’s Old Labor Hall October 4
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| A Mother Jones musical is coming to Barre’s Old Labor Hall on Friday night, October 4!
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 show opens as Mother Jones arrives in heaven to discover that Heaven is identical to her favorite Irish Pub. Over the course of the 75-minute performance Mother Jones looks back over her life, balancing the scales, sifting through her storied past. Moments of profound insight are woven with hilarious tales of a hellion in her prime. On the one hand, her methods and practices, on the other, her reputation and results.
The production stars Vivian Nesbitt in this rousing musical about the infamous labor organizer who led the charge for better working conditions and fair pay for miners, mill workers and child laborers. Mother Jones was dubbed “The Most Dangerous Woman in America” because, said a West Virginia judge, “at the crook of her little finger, she could get 8000 men to walk out on strike.” Feared, revered and lauded in song and story, Mother Jones was “the grandmother of all agitators” during the late 19th and early 20th century as she spoke all over the country, from the Old Labor Hall to Congress, in support of ordinary working people
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. |
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General Motors Reinstates Strikers’ Health Care!
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| Several news outlets reported last night on a decision by General Motors to reinstate striking workers’ health care, "nine days after saying coverage would be cut off."
"General Motors thought they could leverage healthcare for tens of thousands of UAW GM workers to force the union to concede to unfair concessions. The only thing GM gained was a tarnished reputation, UAW Spokesperson Jason Kaplan tells CBS News.
More from the story:
The company’s health benefits had been one of the major areas of discussion before the strike. GM spends about $900 million on health benefits for the roughly 49,000 hourly employees and their 69,000 dependents, the company has previously stated.
GM’s initial offer had called for workers to cover 15% of their health costs, well beneath the national average of 28% but about five times higher than the 3% to 4% that autoworkers now pay, according to Automotive News, which cited sources familiar with the talks.
The UAW balked at the proposal, prompting GM to step back and offer to maintain the status quo, the industry publication reported.
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Federal Workers Flood Capitol Hill To Denounce Administration’s "Anti-Worker" Practices & Policies
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| Thousands of federal government employees, belonging to the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) flooded the halls of the U.S. Congress this week for a "Day of Action" to "draw attention to [the current Administration’s] anti-worker actions, from curbs on union representation for all two million federal workers down to sudden declarations that 900 of the lowest-paid disabled workers in the Portland, Ore., Veterans Administration hospital would be laid off – with two weeks’ notice."
[The current Administration]’s edicts, which the unions are also challenging in court, throw federal worker unions out of their small offices in federal buildings, yanked away their computers, phones and fax machines, curb due process rights for federal workers, make it easier for bosses to fire workers for no reason at all and even tell union stewards that when they defend federal workers they must do so on their own time and on their own dime. |
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October 1
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.
October 2
NMU Bargaining
C.A.P.S.
Vermont College of Fine Arts Campus
Schulmaier Hall
32 College Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.
October 2
Organizer’s Worksite Meeting: Barre
Barre City Place
219 N. Main Street
Third Floor Conference Room
Barre
12:00 p.m.
October 3
Corrections Bargaining
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
9:00 a.m.
October 3
Organizer’s Worksite Meeting: Brattleboro
State Office Building
232 Main Street
First Floor Conference Room
Brattleboro
12:15 p.m.
October 3
Supervisory Bargaining
VSEA HQ
155 State Street
Montpelier
1:30 p.m.
October 3
Springfield Chapter Meeting
100 Mineral Street
1st Floor Conference Room
Springfield
4:30 p.m. |
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| Thank you for reading Week In Action! |
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| Hundreds Have Already Completed The VSEA Workplace Safety & Security Survey
Still Time! |
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| 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 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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| 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.
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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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