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Podcast Explores What It’s Like To Be A DCF Employee, From The Worker’s Perspective
Independent broadcaster Erica Heilman has been producing podcasts about hidden Vermont stories and personalities for the past two years, and occasionally, she takes on a serious issue, like her latest piece on what it’s like to be a frontline DCF Social Worker and the daily challenges confronting these workers.
Here is how Heilman bills her latest podcast on the “Rumblestrip” website:
"The people we never hear from are the people who actually do the work. And this is by design. The work that DCF caseworkers do is intensely private, and in order to protect the privacy of parents and children, caseworkers are not allowed to talk publicly about their cases. In a way, their silence shields us from some of the darkest, most complex, most intractable problems in our state. These are the problems that DCF caseworkers live with every day."
The show is 45 minutes and WIA warns that sometimes the subject matter can be difficult to listen to, but it’s as close a description of what it’s like to work as a DCF Social Worker as you’ll hear. The three DCF workers featured in Heilman’s podcast are not named, and she explains it was a conscious choice “for their own safety.” This is a testament to how difficult this work sometimes is.
Click here to listen to podcast! |
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VSEA “Issue” Receptions Kick Off!
Members Make Case To Lawmakers For More Staffing & Against Privatizing Workers’ Comp, Liability and Safety Workers
WIA informed readers last week about a series of “issue” dinner receptions your union began hosting this week at headquarters, inviting lawmakers to come and meet personally with state employees about the issues important to them.
Jan. 27 – Staffing
The series kicked off on January 27, when a small group of lawmakers heard from members about the need to improve staffing in many areas of state government, especially, as DCF Social Worker Kara Haynes told them, at the DCF, continuing this group of workers’ full-court press this session to secure the staffing levels and safety enhancements. A VSEA Judiciary Court Clerk talked about how staffing issues are impeding the public’s access to justice. Other workers talked about the rising public need in many sectors of government, and their frustration with not being able to meet it sometimes due to decisions they have no voice in making. Rep. Susan Hatch Davis (P-Orange) attended the meeting and later posted about it on her Facebook page, writing, “So glad I went because it doesn’t get any better than to hear directly from the frontline workers when making policy decisions.”
Jan. 28 – Privatization
On January 28, a new group of lawmakers was joined by VSEA members to talk about the dangers of privatization. The discussion was led by Cheri Goldstein, a member working in the Risk Management Division who, like her colleagues, is on high alert after learning that management is actively shopping a formal proposal to privatize their services. She reiterated the workers’ main points on why the Division’s services should not be privatized
- 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 they understand the system’s challenges and how best to navigate them.
The workers stressed again that they have worked hard to help management streamline the claims process and “smooth out the bumps.” They also stressed that when state employees contact their office, they are talking with a fellow state employee and not some person representing a private company that may not even be based in Vermont.
VSEA members who are talking with lawmakers are asked to please make a personal pitch to protect this important division of state government. The workers’ situation will also be a focus of VSEA’s State House Day, which is scheduled for February 25.
WIA will keep readers updated on how you can help the Risk Management workers protect their service. |
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VSEA “Issue” Receptions With Legislators Wrap Up Next Week
February 3: Temporary Workers
February 4: Security
All VSEA members are invited to attend one or more of the dinner reception, which are being held at VSEA headquarters in Montpelier (155 State Street), beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m.
If you are interested in attending a reception(s), please RSVP to:
Danielle Warner
Phone: 223-5247
Email: legintern@vsea.org |
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Has A Workers Compensation, Liability Or Safety Worker Helped You?
Employees in the Risk Management Division’s Workers’ Compensation, Liability and Safety subdivisions are asking 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 thank those who have already responded to this request. Your kind words are appreciated. |
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VSEA Signs Popping Up! Help Needed With Distribution
VSEA recently began distributing yard signs to leaders, activists and members, asking them to distribute them to family, friends, neighbors and businesses in their local communities. The signs are timed to coincide with what has unfortunately become very tough bargaining with the State on new contracts covering VSEA members in the Non-Management, Corrections, Supervisory and Judiciary Units.
The next few weeks and months will be critical, as VSEA members in three Units await a fact-finder’s report, and Judiciary Unit members continue to combat seriously detrimental proposals. This is why VSEA is renewing its call to members to help your union with sign distribution, or post a sign in your own yard. Let’s give Vermont a strong visual show of support for state employees and the quality public services you provide. If you want a sign, but can’t make it to Montpelier, please contact vsea@vsea.org, write “I need a sign(s)” in the subject line, and VSEA will do its best to get your one or more in a timely fashion.
VSEA Chapter Presidents have developed a few simple talking points about the purpose of the signs, in case you need help explaining to a friend or business owner why state employees matter and why they should post a sign. They are:
- Vermont state employees are primarily Vermonters;
- Vermont state employees are your family, friends, neighbors;
- Vermont state employees live in communities across our state, and the wages we negotiate for with the State go back into our local communities to help keep them economically vibrant;
- Vermont state employees’ negotiated wages and benefits raise the standard for all working Vermonters;
- For years, state employees have been asked to give back to help Vermont weather fiscal crises. Because of this, Vermont’s quality public services are stretched very thin today and there just aren’t enough employees in some areas to keep up with increased demand. State services and the workforce have been cut the marrow, not just the bone;
- Since Vermont leaders have chosen to rely heavily a tourism economy and seasonal employees, it makes employment in state government that much more desirable and also one of the last, viable jobs in Vermont still paying a living wage with fair health and retirement benefits. These are the kinds of jobs Vermont needs to support;
- By supporting state employees, you are supporting a continuation of the quality public services Vermonters have come to depend upon;
- Vermont state employees make Vermont work; and
- Supporting Vermont public services and state employees is truly “the Vermont way.”
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Post Your Sign Photos To VSEA Facebook Page!
Please remember too, in the coming weeks and months, if you spot a VSEA yard sign, snap a photo and post it to VSEA’s Facebook page or send it VSEA Communications Director Doug Gibson at dgibson@vsea.org, and he’ll post it for you.
The signs featured with this WIA entry were submitted by VSEA First VP Aimee Towne and Retirees’ Chapter President Joanie Maclay. Thanks! Keep them coming! |
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Call Your Senators Today!
Paid Sick Leave Bill Will Benefits Hundreds Of Temporary Workers
The Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee voted unanimously, 5-0, this week to move H. 187, the paid sick leave bill, to the Senate. The Paid Sick Days Coalition expects the full Senate to consider the bill next Wednesday, and VSEA, as part of the coalition, is asking all members to call your Senators today and urge them to vote “yes” on the paid sick leave bill.
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
Included in the 60,000 working Vermonters who will benefit from passage of a paid sick leave bill are hundreds of temporary employees who currently work in state government. Some of the larger numbers of qualifying temps exist in:
- DCF = 46
- Corrections = 37
- AOT = 27
- Vets’ Home = 21
- BGS = 18
- DMH = 14
- DPS = 14
- DOL = 13
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Deadline To Submit Bylaw Changes Is March 25!
The deadline to submit proposals for changes to VSEA’s Master Bylaws is Friday, March 25, 2016. Proposals must be mailed to: Janis Henderson, Bylaws Committee Chair, c/o VSEA Headquarters, P.O. Box 518, Montpelier, VT 05601-0518.
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.”
Please be sure the changes you are recommending include all Articles and/or Bylaws that may be affected by the proposed change.
If you have questions, please contact Janis at jhenderson@vsea.org. |
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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 2
Burlington
175 Main St.
Third Floor Jury Lounge
11:30 a.m.
February 3
Newport
Civil Division
247 Main St.
Break Room
11:30 a.m.
February 4
Burlington
Costello Courthouse
Champlain Room
Noon
February 10
Middlebury
7 Mahady Court
Break Room
Noon
February 11
Montpelier
RIS & Finance
112 State St.
Conference Room
Montpelier |
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VSEA VVH Members Invited To Meet With Union Representative On Monday
VSEA Union Representative Rachael Fields sent an email this week to members working at the Vets’ Home, inviting them to one of three shift informational meetings she is conducting on Monday, February 1. Fields will be updating VVH members about the status of bargaining, and what’s going on at the State House (where Fields also serves as an elected representative). She also wants to hear about the issues important to VVH workers and promote a nursing survey VSEA is currently urging nurses to complete.
3rd Shift – 6:30 a.m. – Crispe Room
1st Shift – 2:30 p.m. – Upstairs Board Room
2nd Shift – 10:30 p.m. – Crispe Room
If you have any questions, call Rachael Fields at (802) 595-0150. |
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VSEA Vets’ Home Nursing Staff Urged To Complete Online Survey
The initial response has been great to WIA’s call last week for VSEA nursing staff working at the Vets’ Home to complete an online survey about your current working conditions. That said, there’s still time if you haven’t had completed a survey yet. Click below to go to the survey:
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Last Call To Self-Nominate For Open Combined Unit Seat On VSEA Board Of Trustees
VSEA continues to search for a member belonging to the Combined Unit to be a representative to your union’s Board of Trustees.
All full-fledged VSEA members who work in the Combined Unit’s Defender General’s Office or State Housing Authority are eligible and encouraged to self-nominate.
To self-nominate, please send a brief letter of interest by Friday, February 5, to VSEA Operations Director Ray Stout at rstout@vsea.org. Please write “Combined Unit Seat” in the subject line. |
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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
Register for trainings here! |
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Week In Action. Send us your feedback here |
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