VSEA Council Meets To Debrief On Fight Back Campaign & Legislative Session

Also Begins Strategizing For Future 

 
Great turnout for the June 9 VSEA Council meeting at Vermont Technical College in Randolph.
 
The day began with a welcome and report from VSEA President Shelley Martin, who spent some time talking about her decision not to run again and how hard it was to leave the position. She also made a pitch for more VSEA members to follow her shoes and run for an elected union office or volunteer to be a work site steward. Martin was followed by VSEA Executive Director Steve Howard, who highlighted the many positive results of the union’s Fight Back campaign, summarized the pros and cons of this year’s legislative session and rallied members to get active in VSEA’s upcoming contract fights and in the campaigns of politicians who support state employees and the Vermonters they serve. VSEA Legislative Director Ben Palkowski also contributed to the legislative session discussion, providing a summary of where bills with VSEA support ended up. 
 
VSEA First Vice President Michelle Salvador then shared an informative Powerpoint presentation with the Council about the Fight Back campaign, pausing at times to break the body up into smaller groups, who were then asked to provide their collective input on things like what worked in the Fight Back campaign and what campaign communication tools were most effective. Some of the answers Council members provided led to some thoughtful debate about strategy moving forward.

At 11:45, the Council took a break to join in a celebration for this year’s seven winners of a VSEA scholarship. The winners were selected last month by the union’s Awards and Scholarships Committee, and a complete listing can be found in the WIA entry following this one.   
 
After lunch, the Council spent a part of the afternoon reviewing and approving the Budget Advisory Committee’s proposed budget to be sent to the union’s Annual Meeting for a vote by members in September. The remainder of the afternoon included a thorough discussion about proposed Non-Management Unit bylaw changes and amendments and an opportunity for Council members to review and comment on old business or introduce and debate new business.
 
VSEA’s Awards and Scholarships Committee is thanking Vermont Technical College for its hospitality.   

VSEA Awards 2015 Scholarships To Seven Lucky Recipients!

 
At the June 9 VSEA Council meeting, the union’s Awards and Scholarships Committee announced the seven winners of a 2015 VSEA scholarship award. Some of the winners attended a special ceremony at the meeting and they are pictured above receiving their award from Awards & Scholarship Committee Chair-For-A-Day Janis Henderson. Chair Pat Moulton was unable to attend and Janis graciously took the microphone.

Here are the winners, in alphabetical order:

Reuben Allen

Reuben is an active VSEA member who works for Forests, Parks and Recreation as a Regional Ranger Supervisor in Springfield. He currently attending Southern New Hampshire University, where he is pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. He hopes to use what he is learning to further his career and help play an even larger role in positively impacting the lives of others;

John Dickson

John is the son of VSEA member Peggy Burbank; a Case Services Manager with the Department for Children and Families in Morrisville. John is currently attending Lyndon State College, where he is pursuing a major in criminal justice and a minor in anthropology. He says he loves helping people and wants to keep all of us safe;

Jeremiah Kellogg

A VSEA member and librarian with the Department of Libraries. Jeremiah has been accepted to UVM and Johnson State, and he will be pursuing a degree in environmental science. Once graduated, he hopes to continue working for the State in a position related to his degree and course work;

Alexander Klein

The son of VSEA member Anne Klein, a Registered Nurse with the Department of Mental Health; Alexander has been accepted to Champlain College, where he will study graphic design and digital media;
 

Lynden Prior

The son of VSEA member Kristin Prior; a field director with the Agency of Human Services in St. Albans. Lynden is attending the University of Vermont, where he is studying Microbiology;

Darren Ruiz-Sauer

The son of VSEA members Stephen and Bonnie Sauer, who both work at the Vermont Veterans’ Home, one as a maintenance employee and the other as a licensed nursing assistant. Darren has already been accepted to Ridgewater College and Daniel Webster College, and he’s still deciding whether to study construction management, electrical work or engineering. Post-graduation, Darren says he wants to use his major to help out in his community; and

Dana Wiktorski

The daughter of VSEA members Marsha and Lee Wiktorsi, who both work at Castleton State College. Not surprisingly, Dana is attending Castleton, where she is studying nursing.

Lamoille Valley Chapter Putting Call Out For Members To March In Morrisville’s July 4 Parade.

All Members Statewide Welcome!

This week’s announcement that the Governor is not seeking re-election has opened the door for Morrisville’s own Shap Smith to entertain a run for governor. In fact, Smith was quoted this week saying he is “seriously considering a run for govenor. This means VSEA’s Lamoille Valley Chapter has a great opportunity at this year’s annual Morrisville Fourth of July 4 Parade to show Rep. Smith and other local politicians that state employees are united and prepared to stand strong in defense of the services we provide. That’s because Smith and other elected officials will be marching in the parade, and so will we! The parade also affords us an opportunity to take our message to the public and enlist their support in our fight for the Governor and lawmakers to adopt a responsible budgeting process. 
 
The Lamoille Valley Chapter is inviting all state employees (especially those who live and work in the  Lamoille Valley) to march with the Chapter in this year’s parade. Here are the details:

• Parade theme is an ‘All American Holiday’;
   
• Being held on Saturday, July 4;
   
• Beginning at 9:30 a.m., floats/marchers will be lining up at the Community College of Vermont Morrisville Campus. The parade begins promptly at 11:00 a.m. and it ends at the Peoples Academy High School; and
   
• VSEA members are urged to wear green!

Come to have a great time!

Questions? Email the Lamoille Chapter’s Aimee Towne at aimee.kelley@hotmail.com, or call her at 802-793-4754

Central Vermont Chapter Meeting Is Monday!

 
VSEA’s Central Vermont Chapter is meeting Monday, June 15, at the DOL at 5 Green Mountain Dr. in Montpelier. The meeting begins at noon in the second floor conference room, and Chapter President Cassandra Edson says the agenda will include discussions about the union’s upcoming Annual Meeting and bargaining with the State.
 
Members with questions can contact Cassandra by email at cassandraedson@hotmail.com.

VSEA President Invites Female Members To Sign Up For 2015 NE Regional Summer School For Union Women

VSEA President Shelley Martin is inviting VSEA members interested in attending the 40th UALE Northeast Regional Summer School For Union Women to contact her today to let her know.

This year’s school is being held July 26-30 on the beautiful Penn State University Park campus in State College, Pa., and VSEA is sponsoring 10 members who want to attend.
 
The UALE Summer School includes classes and workshops on a variety of union-related topics. Women from all over the country and beyond learn the skills and knowledge needed to play leadership roles in their unions. Visitors from unions in other countries frequently participate. One of the most valuable aspects of the schools is the chance to meet and network with other union women from around the region and beyond.
 
“As a past participant in the Summer School program, I can personally attest to how empowering this experience is and how great it is to be joined at the event by like-minded, strong female labor activists from all over,” Martin tells WIA. “You emerge from the week feeling energized and ready to put all you have learned to work for the members. It’s a great experience, and it’s really worth the time.”

The deadline for interested VSEA members to let President Martin know that you would like to attend this event is the close of business, Friday, June 19! Send your letter of interest and contact information to Martin by email to smartin@vsea.org.
 
You can get updates on the UALE Northeast Summer School’s Facebook page, which can be found by clicking here.

Dale Whitlock Named Game Warden Of
The Year

 
Click here for a larger image…

VSEA is congratulating 19-year state employee Dale Whitlock of Middlebury on being named the 2015 Vermont Game Warden of the Year. Pictured above presenting Dale with his award are (l to r) Col. Jason Batchelder, Lt. George Scribner, VSEA President Shelley Martin, the Governor and F&W Commissioner Louis Porter.

"It was an honor to meet and present Dale with his award this week," Martin tells WIA. "He’s another great example of the quality public service state employees are delivering to Vermonters every day."
 
In an Associated Press story, Scribner called Whitlock "a team player who is always willing to drop everything to assist another warden or law enforcement colleague."
 
Whitlock told WCAX he was humbled by the honor, adding, “I’m doing what I’m supposed to do, which is be a face for the department and ultimately protect the resources of fish and wildlife for the state of Vermont and public safety.”
 
Whitlock’s district includes the towns of Ferrisburgh, Panton, Vergennes, Waltham, New Haven, Bristol, Lincoln, Bridport, Weybridge, Ripton, and Addison.
 

Congratulations Dale!

VSEA Legislative Wrap-Up/Fight Back Debrief Meetings Continue

VSEA’s Organizing and Legislative Departments are continuing to conduct a series of meetings to provide members with a summary of the 2015 legislative session, including wins and losses, what worked and what didn’t and who stood with VSEA in members’ fight against more cuts.
 
“I encourage VSEA members interested in learning more about what happened this session, or who have questions about the session, a candidate’s record or the legislative process in general, to attend,” VSEA President Shelley Martin tells WIA.
 
Here is the upcoming schedule:
 

Thursday, June 18

11:00 a.m. & Noon
DMV Office
120 State Street
Montpelier

Thursday, June 18

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
State Office Building
Newport

Thursday, June 18

Noon to 1:00 p.m.
National Life Building
Winooski Conference Room
Montpelier

Reminder: VSEA Members Enrolled In The Delta Dental Supplemental Plan Are Also Eligible For Vision Discounts

 
VSEA staff and leaders hear often that members would like to see the current vision benefit negotiated in members’ contracts improved. Given this, VSEA wants to make sure that members enrolled in the Delta Dental Supplemental Plan know that you are also eligible to take advantage of a “Vision Discount Program” to help defray additional costs.
 
To see the vision discounts being offered through the supplemental plan, please click here and then click on the “Vision Discount Program” entry under the “VSEA Supplemental Dental Plan Info” heading.  

NMU Bargaining Team Wants Your Leave Request Stories

 
The Non-Management Unit’s Bargaining Team was at headquarters on June 3 to continue preparing for upcoming negotiations with the State this fall. One of the topics they discussed is the need to learn more from NMU workers about how long it takes different managers to process employee leave requests. Are workers’ requests being approved or denied in a timely manner?

If you belong to the NMU and want to share your story about how long it took for managements to process your leave requests, please send your NMU Team a summary of how long it took and what the ramifications were. Did you miss a booking date due to a delay? Were you denied at the last minute, after waiting for days or weeks? Did you have to cancel a trip or event due to slow processing of your request? Was your family made to suffer because management was stringing you along on your leave request? Your NMU Team wants to know.

To share your story (confidentially, unless otherwise agreed to) with the Team, please send an email to nmumail@vsea.org and write “My Leave Story” in the subject line. The Team thanks you in advance for responding to this request.

NMU Bargaining Team Seeks To Fill Vacancy!

                                   
Non-Management Unit Chairperson Bob Stone asked WIA to let NMU members know that the NMU Bargaining Team is actively looking to fill the “Engineering & Technical Support” post on the Team, which was recently vacated.  
 
If you would be interested in serving on your NMU Bargaining Team, please send a letter of interest by 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 26, to: Bob Stone, Chair, Non-Management Unit Chairperson, VSEA, PO Box 518, Montpelier, VT 05601.
 
Please include information about any past experience that would verify your qualifications. Preference will be given to VSEA members whose job duties qualify him or her for the vacant seat, but in the event no “qualified" members apply, the Bargaining Team reserves the right to appoint to the seat from the remaining pool of applicants.

VSEA Seeks
New Union Representative!

VSEA is actively seeking to fill an empty Union Representative position at headquarters in Montpelier. Here is a description for any member interested
in applying:

 
Join Vermont’s most dynamic statewide union as its new Union Representative.
 

Job Duties will include:

• Membership advocacy;
   
• Complaint and grievance handling;
   
• Contract administration, enforcement, and representation in investigations;
   
• Organizing and other related duties associated with the strategic plan of VSEA;
   
• Handling all aspects of work related to membership services in an assigned field area; and
   
• Administration of the collective bargaining agreement though membership education and communication.
   

VSEA seeks to interview dynamic candidates with a track record of commitment to the labor movement and preferably two (2) years of experience as a union representative both administering and enforcing collective bargaining agreements. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their professional involvement with and commitment to the labor movement to Rstout@VSEA.org. Exceptional candidates will be scheduled for an interview.

Discounted 2015 Great Escape Tickets Now Available!

Hard Tickets Are Available Now For Pick Up At VSEA H.Q. in Montpelier!
 

Discount tickets are now available to purchase online by clicking here, but in order to access this page, which also includes the required VSEA username and password, you must be a registered “member-only” VSEA website user (you can sign up here!). Please note that there is a service charge for purchasing online.
 
VSEA will also soon be receiving a batch of hard tickets that members can pick up at headquarters, and there is no service charge attached.
 
2015 Regular Day Tickets = $33 each
($25 savings over price at gate)