Please Attend The May 1 March For Health & Dignity
State House Lawn, Montpelier
Assemble at 11:45 a.m. to begin noon march!
Note: VSEA is urging members to use a few hours of annual leave on May 1 to attend the Workers’ Center’s annual march through downtown Montpelier to the State House.
On Thursday, May 1, labor unions, workers’ rights groups, and other social advocacy groups will celebrate May Day with a march through Montpelier, which will be followed by a “Day of Action.” This annual event, which is organized by the Vermont Workers’ Center and other organizations, is regularly attended by hundreds of Vermonters from every corner of our state.
This year your union, VSEA, is a chief co-sponsor of the event and will take a lead position in the May Day march. And the “Day of Action” events following the march will feature VSEA’s campaign to end retaliation against state employees who speak out publicly about waste, fraud, and corruption. VSEA whistleblower and leader John Howe is a featured speaker, and he will be educating the crowd about what happened to him and why he’s fighting back. It would be great for John to look out on a sea of state employees who support ending retaliation against whistleblowers.
The “Day of Action” events will also highlight the fight VSEA Judiciary members are currently facing at the bargaining table, as they combat anti-union tactics and draconian proposals.
VSEA’s more prominent role in this year’s May Day events is a direct result of the membership’s decision a few years back to redirect some of your union’s focus to building stronger coalitions within the Vermont labor movement. Being a big part of events like the one on May 1 goes a long way towards achieving this goal.
Please Join Colleagues And Community Members From Around The State As We Come Together On May 1 To Declare:
- An end to predatory and abusive management practices within state government;
- Strengthened protections for workers who blow the whistle on waste, fraud and corruption; and
- A fair contract for Judiciary employees that respects the workers’ collective expertise and dedication.
Taking VSEA Members’ Message to the Streets
Part of the “Day of Action” events will be a demonstration where hundreds of Vermonters will stand in solidarity with state employees as we march on the Department of Human Resources’ main office in Montpelier to call for respect and dignity. The crowd will then cross the street to rally at the Vermont Supreme Court and call for a fair contract for VSEA Judiciary Members.
Get Involved! Your Voice Makes A Difference
There will be afternoon events, activities, and complimentary food and beverages provided by your union and the Workers’ Center. If you have questions about the May Day event, transportation options, or suggestions about VSEA’s participation, please contact VSEA Organizer Tim Boyle via phone (802-595-9106) or email by clicking here.
RSVP Here!
Learn More Here!
VSEA Files ULP, Says Judiciary Manager Interfered With A VSEA Union Representative’s Worksite Employee Interaction
On April 18, VSEA filed an unfair labor practice (ULP) with the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB), charging a Judiciary Branch manager with violating 3 V.S.A. § 1026(1), which forbids an employer “to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees in the exercise of their rights guaranteed by section 1012 of this title, or by any other law.”
The VSEA says that on or about March 28, Union Representative Brian Morse attended a scheduled meeting at the Lamoille County Courthouse with a Judiciary employee and the Superior Court Clerk. Following that meeting, Morse, who is also the VSEA Union Representative newly assigned to bargain contracts for Judiciary Unit employees, asked permission from the manager to walk around and introduce himself to other Judiciary VSEA members working at the courthouse. He explained that it was his first visit to the Lamoille since being assigned to represent employees there, but he was told he was not allowed to introduce himself to employees because “organizing” is not allowed. Morse responded that introducing himself to current VSEA members is not organizing, as that term refers to soliciting non-members to join the union. The manager finally ended up granting Morse’s request, saying she “would make an exception” for that day, but she would not allow him to visit on his own, insisting instead that she would shadow Morse as he made his introductory rounds.
VSEA’s ULP argues that Morse was granted the right to speak with employees, but he was unable to speak in confidence because the manager stood right beside him, within listening range, at every stop. In fact, the manager did not leave Morse’s side until he returned to the security desk out front and exited. VSEA is now arguing that this manager’s actions interfered with a VSEA Union Representative’s ability to communicate with VSEA members. VSEA is also contending that the manager acted improperly by refusing VSEA members to communicate with any amount of privacy with their Union Representative and that the manager’s close monitoring of employee conversations was intended to—and did have—a chilling effect on the interactions.
VSEA Whistleblower Compelled To Participate In Lengthy DHR Investigations
Friends and supporters of VSEA leader and whistleblower John Howe joined with him on April 24 to walk in solidarity from VSEA headquarters to the Department of Human Resources’ main office in Montpelier; the site of the State’s first formal investigation of Howe since placing him on 30-day paid administrative leave for allowing a non-state employee in his charge to use his State-issued cell phone to conduct business. Because the group’s walking route took them directly past the front of the State House, their loud chants of “What do we want? Justice for John Howe. When do we want it? Now!” and “Union leader, under attack. What do we do? Rise up, fight back” reverberated nicely off the walls of surrounding state office buildings and the Vermont Supreme Court building. Arriving at DHR’s front door, Howe paused to address the group to thank them for their continued support and for their calls and letters to the State, asking officials to drop the investigation of Howe.
Howe’s initial investigations dragged on for four hours, which he said was exhausting and was probably intended to try and draw a reaction from him, or cause him to implode. But even under intense pressure and questioning, Howe remained calm and collected, articulating his version of events and steadfastly defending his right to speak to lawmakers about issues and concerns he has about his agency and about a large private contractor doing an increasing amount of work for his agency. Following his investigations, Howe took time to deliver a video message to his supporters and all VSEA members about what happened and how he is feeling. You can view Howe’s message by clicking here. The Burlington Free Press covered Howe’s walk and wrote a story, which you can read by clicking here. A second VPR story on Howe is expected to post later today on the station’s homepage and VSEA will also be posting it to the “Justice For John Howe” Facebook page, which can be found by clicking here.
Howe Files Lawsuit
Howe also filed a lawsuit in Chittenden Superior Court this week against “various agencies, appointing authorities, officials, and employees of the State of Vermont for injunctive relief and other damages pursuant to Whistleblower Protection provisions of the State Employees’ Labor Relations Act, 3 V.S.A. §§ 971-978.” In his lawsuit, Howe says management began to retaliate against him after he testified in January 2014 about his concerns his agency is becoming increasingly dependent on a private contractor called VABIR. Howe labels the actions of the defendants named in his lawsuit “willful, intentional and egregious” and he writes that “As a result of Defendants’ actions…[I] suffered damage to [my] reputation, humiliation, and emotional distress, among other damages.” Some of the relief Howe is asking the Court to provide includes: filing an injunction to stop the personnel investigations; reinstating him to all of his previous duties and functions at his normal reporting location; enjoining the defendants from engaging in further acts of retaliation, restraint or interference with his whistleblower activity; and paying reasonable costs and attorney’s fees.
VSEA members are urged to stay engaged in Howe’s fight for justice. Download a “We’re All John Howe” flyer here.
 Like and follow the “Justice For John Howe” Facebook page here.
State Says It Is Committed To Working With Frontline Employees On Future Moves
Thanks to hundreds of VSEA members statewide banding together in recent years to collectively ask to be included in discussions and decisions about significant office moves, the State is now beginning to treat workers as equal partners and is, in fact, welcoming their input. In an April 16 memorandum to VSEA President Shelley Martin and Director Mark Mitchell, and Secretary of the Administration Jeb Spaulding reaffirmed the State’s commitment to include VSEA members in discussions about office moves. It reads:
“This memorandum will confirm that this Administration is committed to meaningful employee engagement when significant State facility renovations and relocations are being planned and implemented. We have learned valuable lessons in recent years about the importance of sharing information and seeking employee input at the appropriate times throughout the design and implementation phases. In addition, we have learned that utilization of proven change management practices can lessen anxiety and facilitate a smoother transition.
We will reach out to VSEA and collaborate on ways to operationalize plans for meaningful employee engagement when significant State facility renovations and relocations are being planned and implemented. Examples where will employ the practices referenced above include the Waterbury State Office Complex and the shared Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and Agency of Natural Resources Laboratory, but there will be others as well.”
“We really appreciate the State’s commitment to draw on the collective expertise of frontline employees,” VSEA President Shelley Martin told WIA. “Our knowledge and experience will serve the state well by helping to design workspace that maximizes the taxpayers’ investment and provides the best service environment possible for the public.”
VSEA Launches New Digger Ads Supporting Fully Funding Vermont State Colleges
VSEA launched a new set of ads yesterday on online media outlet VTDigger, calling on the Senate to restore 1% of the funding proposed to the Vermont State Colleges that was recently stripped away by the House.
The ad steers readers to a page that asks Vermonters to contact their Senators today and urge them to restore the House’s funding cut. It also educates the reader about how poorly funded the VSC system is, reminding that the State has failed to increase VSC funding to keep up with inflation. This has resulted in our State Colleges experiencing an alarming 76% drop in State appropriations from 1990 to 2013.
To view the ad’s information page, click here.
Thanks for the help!
VSEA Organizer Looking For Volunteers To Participate In “Spring Drive”
VSEA Organizer Josh Massey is helping facilitate VSEA’s 2014 spring membership drive, and he is looking for volunteers in worksites across Vermont to help plan, coordinate and roll out this year’s program. If you would be willing to help, please contact Josh by email at jmassey@vsea.org, or by phone at 223-5247. Thanks!
VSEA Needs To Know If Your Mailing Address Is Different Than Your Home Address
Many VSEA members have a mailing address that is different from their home address. They may keep a P.O. Box at the post office, or they may have a mailbox with an address different from their actual house address. If this is the case with you, please email the Union at nstein@vsea.org and let us know! Our reason is that the address information for our members that we receive from the State is unreliable. The State cannot report to us both a “Mailing Address” and a “Home Address.” We only occasionally send paper U.S. mail, but, when we do, it’s important, and includes: Ballots for Union elections, insurance information, and legally-required warnings of Union meetings.
If your mailing address is different from your home address, we need you to tell us! Email nstein@vsea.org. Thanks!
Workers Worldwide Observe “Workers’ Memorial Day”
On 4/28
On Monday, April 28, workers across the globe will observe “Workers’ Memorial Day,” and pause to remember those who have been injured or killed on the job and renew the fight for strong worker safety and health protections.
Four decades ago, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, promising every worker the right to a safe job. Since then, unions and our allies have fought hard to make that promise a reality in Vermont and across the country—winning protections that have made jobs safer, saved hundreds of thousands of lives and prevented millions of workplace injuries and illnesses.
From a national AFL-CIO flyer about Workers’ Memorial Day 2014:
“Every year on April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO observe Workers’ Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew our efforts for safe workplaces. This year the struggle continues to create good jobs in this country that are safe and healthy and to ensure the freedom of workers to form unions and, through their unions, to speak out and bargain for respect and a better future. It’s time for our country to fulfill the promise of safe jobs for all.”
Delta Dental Supplemental Coverage Enrollment
Period Is Here!
Deadline For 2014 Enrollment Is
May 16, 2014
Northeast Delta Dental Supplemental Program forms for the 2014 spring enrollment period are in the mail and VSEA members should be receiving them very soon. If you already have coverage and would like to continue, then you don’t need to do anything. For members who do not currently have supplemental coverage but would like to sign up, you will need to fill out and return the enrollment and payroll deduction form and return them to VSEA by May 16. Again, all forms containing detailed instructions have been sent to members’ homes.
VSEA members can find copies of all relevant 2014 Delta Dental supplemental dental plan forms by clicking here!
Old Labor Hall In Barre Hosting May Day “Primo Maggio” Celebration
The Barre Historical Society is hosting a Primo Maggio Day celebration on May 1 at the Old Labor Hall. An evening program called “Songs and Social Justice” has been planned, and it includes an Italian dinner, a screening of the film “The Internationale” and a sing-a-long tribute to folksinger and labor activist Pete Seeger, who passed away in January 2014.
Here’s a schedule of events:
5:30 p.m. – Lasagna Dinner (meat and vegetarian) and Cash Bar
7:00 p.m. – Screening of “The Internationale”; an award-winning documentary about a musical anthem dubbed “the only song that could change the world.” It was actually sung regularly by the Italian stone cutters who built the Old Labor Hall in 1901 and who later began holding annual Primo Maggio Day celebrations there. Award-winning New York filmmaker Peter Miller is joining the celebration to introduce his film, and he will be available afterwards for a Q&A session.
8:00 p.m. – Musical sing-a-long tribute to Pete Seeger, led by longtime local folk musicians Ben Koenig and Mark Greenberg (a.k.a. “Anything Goes”).
Tickets: $25 ($20 for union members, seniors & students) at the door, or purchase online at www.oldlaborhall.com. For more information or reservations: 802-479-5600 or info@oldlaborhall.com
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