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Register Today! VSEA State House Day Is Thursday, February 25, 2016!
VSEA’s annual State House Day is Thursday, February 25, 2016.
This event is the perfect venue for frontline state employees to meet face to face with their local lawmakers to talk about the service you provide and the challenges that confront you daily, especially when it comes to safety and staffing.
Register to attend VSEA’s State House Day by clicking here!
Help Spread The Word!
Download/ print flyers to post in your worksite! |
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Paid Sick Leave Bill Passes In Senate,
But… Calls Needed!
The Vermont Senate voted 21-8 on February 3 to pass H. 187, the paid-sick-leave bill that would require all employers to provide a sick-leave benefit to employees. An amendment to the bill that would have carved out businesses with fewer than five employees was also defeated 15-14. VSEA and all of labor cheered the votes, as this has been a front-burner issue for most Vermont unions for years.
Everything was looking good for the bill, up until yesterday, when Sen. Bill Doyle (R-Washington) decided he wanted to change his vote on both H.187 and the amendment. Some news outlets are reporting that Doyle was asked to switch his votes by Party leaders, allegedly in an orchestrated attempt to take advantage of the State’s top official being out of town. After researching Doyle’s request to re-vote, Democratic leaders were able to find a rule that allowed them to couch a re-vote until next Wednesday, February 10. However, due to the week delay on the re-vote, lawmakers now run the risk of additional, possible unfriendly amendments being tacked on to H. 187.
VSEA members are again being urged to contact your local lawmakers to voice your support for paid sick leave for all working Vermonters, especially VSEA members living and working in Washington County, which is represented by Sen. Doyle. Please contact the Senator and ask him to support H. 187 and to reject the Campion amendment, which would exempt businesses with five or less employees.
Thanks in advance for the help.
For more information on how to leave a message for your Senator click here
For more information on why we need paid sick leave click here |
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VSEA Members Testify In Support Of S. 154.
Urge Your Lawmakers To Pass This Bill!
For years predating the horrific August 2015 killing of DCF Social Worker Lara Sobel, frontline DCF workers have been conducting a campaign to enhance their safety while at work. Now, just months following the Sobel tragedy, DCF workers are finally seeing some movement to help them, with the State’s recent call to hire more frontline DCF workers and now the introduction of S. 154 in the Senate.
According to a February 4 Times Argus story S. 154 would “enhance the penalties for assaulting a worker with the Department for Children and Families, and would criminalize the act of making threats.” The writer adds, “DCF workers join the ranks of police officers, firefighters, first responders and health care workers — all professions for which an act of assault carries an enhanced penalty of one year on prison for the first offense and 10 years for the second.”
The bill has the support of VSEA and frontline DCF social workers, who testified to the Senate Judiciary Committee on February 3 in support of S. 154, reiterating to lawmakers the risks associated with being a frontline social worker. VTDigger had a February 4 story on the hearing, and it featured DCF Social Worker Trissie Casanova testimony.
“I personally have been threatened to be killed, my building blown up, I’ve had people waiting for me outside by my car,” Casanova testified. “I’ve had things sent to my personal home. I have been personally sued for doing my job. And I know I’m not the only person that’s experienced
these things.”
DCF Commissioner Ken Schatz backed his employees and the bill, testifying, “Social workers do incredibly important work, and the reality is they’re on the front lines like other first responders, sometimes working with individuals who get very emotional,” Schatz said.
As the Digger story mentions, VSEA not only supports S. 154, but the union also would like to see the legislation expanded to include enhanced penalties for persons accused of assaulting a state employee, like a mandatory minimum sentence.
To illustrate this point, VSEA Judiciary Unit member Margaret Crowley joined Casanova to testify about feared assaults or worse, explaining to lawmakers “members of the public don’t differentiate between the roles employees play in the Judicial and child-protection systems when they’re emotional after a hearing,” adding that when she is handing someone’s paperwork after a court hearing, “I am the face of government.”
VSEA members are urged to contact your local lawmakers and urge their support for S. 154.
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Upcoming Trainings:
Steward Training: Chittenden &
Lamoille County
Thursday, February 11
DVHA Conference Room
312 Hurricane Lane, Suite 201
Williston
Steward Training: Supervisory Unit
Wednesday, February 17
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
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VSEA Central Vermont Chapter Invites Members To Help “Flood” The Area With Lawn Signs Of Support For State Employees
When VSEA Chapter Presidents last met, they agreed to participate in a campaign to distribute VSEA lawn “signs of support” across Vermont. This week, Central Vermont Chapter President Cassandra Edson asked WIA to announce a distribution effort being conducted the next two weekends in Montpelier.
“Our goal is to distribute as many of the ‘We Support State Employees” signs as possible throughout central Vermont, in advance of VSEA’s State House Day on February 25,” explains Edson. “Let our legislators and the State see the visible support Vermonters have for state employees. We would be happy to have you join us.”
Edson and Chapter members will be going door-to-door to members’ homes to distribute signs on:
Saturday, February 6
9:00 a.m.
Meeting at VSEA HQ
155 State St., Montpelier
Sunday, February 13
1:00 p.m.
Meeting at VSEA HQ
155 State St., Montpelier
If you would like to volunteer to help, or if you have questions, please contact Cassandra Edson by email at cassandraedson@hotmail.com. Edson says she is open to working with members to schedule distribution times more favorable to the member’s schedule. |
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Joe Silvestri Elected To Supervisory Seat On Board Of Trustees
 VSEA’s Elections, Rules and Nominating Committee was at headquarters this week to count the ballots received in the election for the Supervisory Unit seat on VSEA’s Board of Trustees.
Congratulations to DOC member Joe Silvestri, who was elected to return to the Board in this new role after serving on it for years as the District 3 representative. |
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NMU Bylaw Changes Due February 26!
Non-Management Unit Chairperson Michelle Salvador asked WIA to let NMU members know that the deadline to submit proposed Unit bylaw changes is Friday, February 26.
Proposals should reference the number, section, sub-section, etc. of the bylaw you would like to change. You should also include the language you want to add, delete or substitute. Also include the reason(s) you are making this proposal. Example: “Bylaw 0 A (1) (b) Change: Monday to Sunday. Reason: Makes it easier to work with the calendar.”
To view existing NMU bylaws, click here. |
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State Hosting Five Joint Public Hearings on State’s Proposed FY 2017 State Budget:
Monday, February 15
VSEA members working at the St. Johnsbury Work Camp, HAEU and the Community High School of Vermont are especially urged to weigh in on the State’s FY2017 budget proposal, during one of five budget “public hearings” being conducted jointly on Monday, February 15, by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.
Each meeting is from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in one of five locations across, which can be found here. Time limits on testimony may apply depending on volume of participants.
To view or print a copy of the State’s proposed budget, please click here.
For more information about event format, or to submit written testimony, call Theresa Utton-Jerman or Rebecca Buck, Joint Fiscal Office, 802-828-5767 or toll-free 1-800-322-5616; or e-mail: tutton@leg.state.vt.us or rbuck@leg.state.vt.us. |
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VSEA Creates Meme To Promote Keeping State’s Risk Management Division Services (Workers’ Comp, Liability and Security) Public
VSEA’s Facebook page posted a meme on February 3, using a quote from a past user of the Risk Management to highlight the importance of the services the Division offers and of the people delivering the services.
Here’s what the post says:
“Nearly a dozen Vermont state employees working in the State’s Risk Management Division recently learned that their service has been put out to bid to private, for-profit vendors, some located out of state. The bids are due February 26, and the jobs of the seasoned VSEA members who provide Workers’ Compensation, Liability and Security services are at risk.
Here’s just a few of the reasons the workers want to keep their services public:
- Workers represent more than 100 years of combined and specialized knowledge;
- Workers are the ones helping state employees get back to work after suffering a work illness or injury;
- Workers are “Vermonters serving Vermonters,” and they know the people they serve;
- Workers know state worksites and the nature of state employee work, across the board; and
- Workers understand the system’s challenges and how best to navigate them.
VSEA recently asked Vermonters to send their thoughts on the state wanting to privatize its Risk Management Division. Here’s what one Vermonter said:
"I wouldn’t feel comfortable talking about what I was going through with some private, out-of-state office with no familiarity of what we have and do. The State should be proud of what the [current Risk Management Division] staff provide.”
VSEA Agrees. Keep This Critical Service Public!
Vermonters who are talking with their local lawmakers are urged to ask them to support keeping the services provided to Vermonters by the State’s Risk Management Division public.
Thanks in advance for your help and support!
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Has A Workers Compensation, Liability Or Safety Worker Helped You?
Thanks to this post in WIA, VSEA has been hearing from Vermonters who have used any of the services offered by the State’s Risk Management Division, which include help with issues around workers’ compensation, liability and safety. In fact, a piece from one of the testimonials received has been turned into a Facebook meme to gain support for the workers and their services.
Risk Management Division workers continue to ask any VSEA member/retiree who has been helped by a worker in the Division to please share your story with them. The more stories collected, the better, and the accounts don’t have to be long and detailed, just a quick overview of your positive experience with the service. Thanks in advance for your help. Send your story to vsea@vsea.org and write “RM Story” in the subject line.
The employees again thank those who have already responded to this request. Your kind words are appreciated. |
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Health Connect’s Backlog Larger Than Originally Reported, Yet Proposal Remains To Cut Staff Charged With Helping Reduce Backlog
Just two weeks after the State reported out of the blue that the customer backlog for Vermonters seeking help with Vermont Health Connect (VHC) had risen to 3,000, VTDigger reports on February 1 that the State’s Chief of Health Care Reform Lawrence Miller testified this week that the actual backlog number is actually closer to 6,000. Mind you, this is just a few weeks after the State’s budget address, where VSEA members working in the Health Access Eligibility Unit (HAEU) and their union learned that the State is proposing to cut dozens of HAEU positions, even while these employees are working hard to reduce VHC’s customer backlog.
“In October 2015, the backlog was reported to be 100 or 200, and now this number has ballooned to 3,000, then 4,000, and now close to 6,000,” says VSEA Communications Director Doug Gibson. “Now might not be the best time to be talking position cuts. In fact, the real question might be, are there enough frontline HAEU workers to sufficiently meet the need?”
VSEA urges members to talk with their local lawmakers about the importance of the work being done by HAEU employees and the need to ensure Vermonters enrolled in VTC are being served in a timely manner. HAEU position cuts are not a wise choice.
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VSEA “Issue” Receptions With Legislators
Wrap Up
VSEA wrapped up a series of “issue” dinner receptions this week, which were held to allow members the opportunity to meet with small groups of lawmakers about the issues important to frontline state employees. Pictured here are some of the lawmakers who attended your union’s February 3 reception, where workers educated them on the issue of temporary workers in state government. The following night’s well-attended reception featured a discussion on the issues of security and safety while at work.
VSEA thanks all the members who took time from their busy schedules to attend one or more of these important receptions. |
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Judiciary Unit Schedules Bargaining Update Meetings
Members of the VSEA Judiciary Unit Bargaining Team are embroiled in tough negotiations right now with the State on a new contract. To update members on the status of bargaining and let them know what help is needed in the coming days and weeks, Team members and staff are currently conducting a series of information meetings across Vermont
Here are the remaining meetings scheduled:
February 10
Middlebury
7 Mahady Court
Break Room
Noon
February 11
Montpelier
RIS & Finance
112 State St.
Conference Room
Montpelier
February 17
Barre
Courthouse
Second Floor Conference Room
11:30 a.m.
February 18
White River Junction
Judicial Bureau
Lunchroom
11:30 a.m.
February 18
Bennington
Jensen’s Restaurant
5:00 p.m. |
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Central Vermont Chapter Meeting On Monday.
Barre Chapter Members Invited.
VSEA Central Vermont Chapter President Cassandra Edson asked WIA to remind Chapter members that your next meeting is Monday, February 8, at VSEA headquarters in Montpelier. The meeting begins at 5:00 p.m., and food and beverages will be available.
The Chapter is also inviting members from the Barre Chapter to attend Monday’s meeting.
The agenda includes:
- A bargaining update from NMU Bargaining Chair Michelle Salvador;
- A bargaining action update from Executive Director Steve Howard; and
- Distribution of VSEA yard signs.
If you have questions, please contact Cassandra Edson by email: cassandraedson@hotmail.com. |
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Franklin/Grand Isle Chapter Meeting February 12
VSEA Franklin/Grand Isle Chapter President Michael Gordon asked WIA to remind Chapter members that your next meeting is Friday, February 12, at 14 Starr Brewery in St. Albans. The meeting begins at 5:00 p.m.
If you have questions, please contact Michael Gordon by email: michael.gordon@vermont.gov. |
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VSEA Insurance Representative In St. Johnsbury Next Week
VSEA Insurance Representative Joanne Woodcock will be in St. Johnsbury two days next week at the following location to talk with interested VSEA members about member-only insurance benefits.
February 9 & 10
State Office Building
67 Eastern Ave., #4
St. Johnsbury
12:00 to 3:00
Receive information on disability coverage, family life insurance, family accident and cancer coverage. You must be a member paying full dues to be eligible for this VSEA benefit. If you are an agency-fee payer, Joanne can provide you information about signing up for full membership. |
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VSEA Labor Educator Announces Winter/Spring 2016 Training Schedule
VSEA Labor Educator Tim Lenoch asked WIA to announce a new round of trainings he has scheduled for winter/spring 2016. If you are interested in registering to attend one or more trainings, you can do so by clicking here. Please direct your training questions to Tim at tlenoch@vsea.org.
Trainings in blue are for all members.
Steward Training: Chittenden & Lamoille County
Thursday, February 11
DVHA Conference Room
312 Hurricane Lane, Suite 201
Williston
Steward Training: Supervisory Unit
Wednesday, February 17
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward 1: Introduction & The Basics
Friday, March 4
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward Training: Health Care Facilities
Wednesday, March 9
VTrans District Office,
61 Valley View
Mendon (five miles east of Rutland)
Steward 2: Protecting The Contract & Building The Union
Friday, March 18
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward Training: The “Hostile Work Environment”
Wednesday, March 23
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward 3: The Contract & Challenges in the Workplace
Friday, March 25
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward Training: Investigations & Working With Human Resources
Wednesday, March 30
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward Training: Corrections Unit
Wednesday, April 6
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward Training: The Grievance
Wednesday, April 13
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Steward Training: The Labor/Management Committee
Friday, April 15
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
Diversity & Solidarity For Public Sector Union Members
Friday, April 22
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin
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Do you have Week In Action feedback?
We want to know what you think of VSEA’s
Week In Action. Send us your feedback here |
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