VSEA Applauds Vermont Supreme Court’s Decision To Overturn VLRB Ruling That Prevented Organizing Of DSA Employees

VSEA issued the following press release today:

VSEA is applauding a decision by the Vermont Supreme Court to overturn a 2014 ruling by the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB) that Deputy States Attorneys, Victims Advocates and Secretaries in the State’s Attorneys Offices cannot be organized under either the under the Municipal Labor Relations Act (MERA) or the State Employee Labor Relations Act (SELRA). Shortly after the VLRB issued its 2014 ruling, VSEA publicly blasted the Board’s “ambiguous” determination that the DSAs were neither “state nor municipal” employees, promising an appeal to the Supreme Court, which the union followed through with and filed.

In its decision, the Court wrote: “In summary, for the reasons stated, we uphold the Board’s determination that the Department is not an employer of the petitioned-for employees in conjunction with the individual state’s attorneys. On the other hand, the individual state’s attorneys, who are statutorily authorized county officers under Chapter 5 (County Officers; Powers and Duties) of Title 24 (Municipal and County Government), are municipal employers under MERA to the extent that they "employ five or more employees as defined" in MERA. 21 V.S.A. § 1722(13). The fact that they may be unable to bargain over the full scope of employment issues with respect to the petitioned-for employees in their offices does not mean that they are not municipal employers under MERA. MERA defines a "[m]unicipal employee" as "any employee of a municipal employer, including a professional employee"-with exceptions not relevant here. Id. § 1722(12). Each of the groups of petitioned-for employees fit within that definition, given our determination that the individual state’s attorneys are municipal employers.”

In a 2014 memorandum to the VSEA Board of Trustees, the union’s Legal Assistance Committee explained its decision to recommend an appeal, writing: “The Board’s decision is based on several fundamental errors of law that could have wide-ranging impacts not only for these employees but for employees of other political subdivisions whom the VSEA or other unions may seek to organize in the future. For these reasons, as briefly described below, the Legal Assistance Committee unanimously voted to appeal this matter to the Vermont Supreme Court.”

“This is an important victory for VSEA and working Vermonters, as it addresses a number of significant labor law questions and allows VSEA to now organize most of the employees in State’s Attorneys Offices,” explains VSEA President Dave Bellini. “Under the Court’s ruling, we’ll have to do it on a county-by-county basis in in offices with five or more workers, but it’s a start, and the Board will be meeting to discuss a plan on how best to move forward.”

According to VSEA numbers, more than half of Vermont’s DSA offices would be eligible to organize.

Mark The Date!

VSEA Lobby Day Is
Thursday, February 25, 2016! 



VSEA’s annual Lobby Day will be Thursday, February 25, 2016.

This 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.

Register to attend VSEA’s Lobby Day by clicking here!

VSEA & State Head To Fact Finding On Monday

It’s been a few contracts since VSEA Bargaining Units were forced to engage a fact finder in the negotiating process with the State, but, unfortunately, that is the reality facing the Non-Management, Supervisory and Corrections Units. On Monday, January 11, Bargaining Team members and VSEA staff negotiators will present to a fact finder that was agreed to by both parties. The Teams expect to provide updates to members on the discussions, but if you have immediate questions or comments, please contact one of your Team representatives.

Show Your Support For Your Bargaining Team! Wear Green On Monday!

Join your Bargaining Team in wearing green on January 11 and pose with your coworkers holding one or more of the attached messages. Here are the steps to take:

• Reach out to your co-workers, share information on fact finding, ask them to wear green on January 11 as a sign of solidarity to fight for a fair contract;
• Take photos of you and your co-workers individually or in groups, holding signs on or by January 11; and
  https://www.vsea.org/upload
• Upload your photos (each submission can have up to 5 photos attached) at the following address: https://www.vsea.org/upload

VSEA In The [State] House For Opening Day Of Legislative Session

When the gavel banged to open the 2016 Vermont legislative session, members of the VSEA Legislative Committee were at the State House to welcome back legislators with a special breakfast, where they were able to talk with lawmakers about the union’s 2016 legislative priorities, the budget and other important matters. VSEA members also hosted a meeting later in the morning with key House leaders and two gubernatorial candidates. Several also ate lunch with their local lawmakers. In the afternoon, DCF worker Trissie Casanova testified about worker safety to the House Human Services Committee.

VSEA members are urged to come to the State House when possible to help educate lawmakers about the issues and concerns you and your colleagues are working daily to address. If you would like to learn more, please contact VSEA Legislative Director Nancy Lynch at nlynch@vsea.org.

Attention VSEA Members Whose Union Representative Is Rachael Fields

VSEA members working in Chapters/Units currently served by VSEA Union Representative Rachael Fields are urged to note the following, as Rachael is returning to the State House to serve in her role as an elected lawmaker, representing the citizens of Bennington.

Bennington: Rachael will continue to represent

Brattleboro (including the Rockingham PSAP): Report to David Van Deusen

White River Junction (including the Windsor facility): Report to Bob South

Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital (VPCH): Report to Brian Morse

Addison: report to Mike O’Day

View Union Representative Staff Contact Info Here!

Apply Now!

The 2016 VSEA Scholarship Award Application is due May 9!

Each spring, the VSEA Scholarship & Awards Committee solicits scholarship applications from VSEA members and their spouses, dependents and domestic partners. The application process is easy, requiring the applicant to write a couple of short essays as well as provide a grade history, employment history, personal references and a few other things. All applications received before the May 9, 2016 deadline are then reviewed by all committee members who debate the eligible candidates and then vote to decide a particular year’s winners. Winners will be announced at VSEA’s June Council meeting.

View and download the 2016 application here

See A VSEA Yard Sign?

Snap A Photo And Post It To VSEA’s Facebook Page

VSEA began distributing yard signs to Council members this week, in hopes the signs will soon start springing up in the communities where VSEA members live and work.

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.

If you need signs, they are available for pickup at VSEA headquarters in Montpelier. VSEA will also be urging leaders, members and retirees visiting HQ to take some signs back to their worksites and their communities.

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.

The Labor Activist
Thursday, January 14
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin

Steward Training: Judiciary Unit
Wednesday, January 20
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin

Department for Children and Families: Workplace Safety
Wednesday, February 3
VTrans Training Center
1716 U.S. Route 302
Berlin

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!