Reminder! Your July 29 Paycheck Will Reflect Newly Adopted VSEA Dues Structure
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President Towne Schedules Series Of Webinars To Provide Update On Pension Task Force Meetings
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VSEA President Aimee Towne sent an email to members and retirees this week, announcing that VSEA is partnering with the Vermont NEA and Vermont Trooper's Association to host a series of upcoming webinars to update members and retirees about any and all developments with the newly formed Pension Task Force.
The webinars will be held on the first Monday (except September) of every month, and all are encouraged to log in. A link to log in will be emailed prior to each webinar.
Here are the scheduled webinar dates. All begin at 6:00 p.m.:
- August 2, 2021
- September 7, 2021 (Tuesday)
- October 4, 2021
- November 1, 2021
- December 6, 2021
- January 3, 2022
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Pension Benefits, Design, and Funding Task Force July 22 Meeting Overview
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VSEA Legislative Specialist Tom Abdelnour emailed members today with an overview of the newly formed Pension Benefits, Design, and Funding Task Force's July 22 meeting.
Read Abdelnour's summary on VSEA.org
VSEA members and retirees can watch the task force meetings held to date: Pension Task Force YouTube Page
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New Study Finds More & More Americans Need Investment Help With Their 401ks
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One of the arguments VSEA members and retirees make against putting state employees in a defined contribution pension plan (a.k.a. 401k) is how most workers are not professional financial planners. A new study from Charles Schwab supports VSEA's position.
Continue Reading...
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DOC Commissioner Tells Lawmakers That Staffing Crisis At "Very, Very, Very Dangerous Point"
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VTDigger posted a story this week about a recent hearing that was scheduled by lawmakers to address the staffing crisis inside Vermont's correctional facilities. Needless to say, VSEA and its Corrections members welcomed the opportunity to warn lawmakers and the public (again) just how bad working conditions are these days. This time, however, they were joined in sounding the alarm by DOC Commissioner James Baker.
Continue Reading...
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VSEA sent its deepest condolences this week to the family, friends and colleagues of Rita Quesnel; a 46-year-old, DOC employee who worked at Northwest State and passed away unexpectedly last week. Rita was member of VSEA's DOC Supervisory Unit.
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Jazzercise Waterbury Offering VSEA Member's A Discount
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VSEA Advantage Program participant Jazzercise Waterbury is offering members a new deal.
VSEA members can now save 20% when signing up for Cardio and Strength Training at Jazzercise Waterbury.
Learn more at Jazzercise Waterbury's website.
or
Phone: (802) 279-6912
Email: jazzercisewaterbury@gmail.com
Learn more about the VSEA Advantage Discount Program
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Next Week's Union Meetings and Events:
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Employee Appreciation Day Event
Wednesday, July 28
Northeast Correctional Complex
St. Johnsbury
More Information
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Employee Appreciation Day Event
Thursday, July 29
Marble Valley Correctional Facility
Rutland
More Information
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Quote Of The Week!
“We would not have gone to the governor of the state of Vermont if we thought the issue of the staffing crisis adequately being addressed at lower levels. This is an emergency.”
VSEA Executive Director Steve Howard testimony to lawmakers this week on staffing crisis in Corrections, as reported in VTDigger.
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Non-VSEA specific stories that may be of interest to VSEA members.
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Pay Gap Between America's CEOs And Workers Widens More
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The AFL-CIO's latest Executive Paywatch report is based on an examination of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) compensation at S&P 500 companies in 2020, and it reveals that executives were paid 299 times the average worker’s salary last year.
Continue Reading...
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Oregon & Minnesota State Workers Reach Tentative Contract Agreements
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SEIU Local 503 posted a message to Oregon State Employees this week, announcing a tentative contract agreement. It reads, in part:
"...we won 5.6% cost of living raises over two cycles, hazard pay, steps for both years of the contract (that’s over a 9% wage increase for many workers) , expanded telework options, improvements for essential employees and hazardous/inclement conditions leave! The victories we made in raises this year, make the last two contract years some of the most successful in State worker history!"
Continue Reading...
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Frito-Lay Workers Strike Over 84-Hour Weeks, Meager Raises
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From a recent Labor Notes story:
Frito-Lay workers in Topeka, Kansas, have been on strike since Monday [July 5] over low pay and forced overtime.
Some workers have been forced to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, for weeks on end due to short staffing. They want to see that change.
Continue Reading...
See Also:
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NLRB Rules That Unions Can Continue To Display Scabby The Rat
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VSEA members with Scabby The Rat at a May 2019 rally to protest ex-Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's appearance at a fundraiser in Burlington.
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On Wednesday, the NLRB in a 3-1 decision found that the display of inflatable labor mascots such as Scabby did not violate the National Labor Relations Act.
Continue Reading...
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AOT Members Helping AOT Members. Become A VSEA AOT Steward Today!
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August 2 Deadline For Eligible Members To Cast Your Ballot In District Board Of Trustee Elections
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Please Sign These Petitions To Get AC Installed At Southern State And Northern State
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 Vermont's recent heatwave prompted Corrections Officer Shawanda Hill to renew her push for management to install air conditioning facility-wide at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield.
To date, Southern State management has not responded to Hill's requests. She has reached out to VSEA for help move the petition up the command chain once it's ready to go.
VSEA members and retirees are invited to sign Ms. Hill's petition online!
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Statewide, Workers Begin Returning To Work - We Want Your Feedback!
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In the time between now and Sept. 1, VSEA is interested in learning what directives, assurances, etc. are being given to returning employees in individual agencies or departments.
Please complete this online form to send us your feedback!
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Download Your Contract On VSEA.org!
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The current contracts for the Executive Branch Units, Defender General Unit, Housing Authority Unit, State’s Attorneys’ Office Unit, and Judiciary Unit are posted online to VSEA.org.
View/Download Your Contract
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Thank you for reading Week In Action!
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Told You're Being Investigated? Watch This Video!
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Please take a few minutes on a break to watch the video, and know that the information being relayed could very well save your job someday. Remember, as a VSEA member, you are entitled to no-cost representation in investigatory meetings that may lead to discipline. Non-members, however, must now pay a rate of $250 to $350 per-hour for the same level of representation!
More: Know Your Union Rights
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Getting Ready To Retire? Retired Already? Join The VSEA Retired Members’ Chapter!
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Long-time VSEA activist and leader Terry Lefebvre is asking VSEA members getting ready to retire to join the VSEA Retirees’ Chapter to continue to be an active and engaged union member, even in retirement. Lefebvre also appeals to VSEA members to talk up the co-workers they know who might be preparing to retire. If you already belong to the Retired Members’ Chapter, a big thanks to you.
Learn More Here About The VSEA Retired Members’ Chapter
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VSEA Advantage Discount Program
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Did you know the average VSEA member can save hundreds of dollars a year by taking advantage of some of the Member-Only benefits offered through your union?
Learn more about the VSEA Advantage Discount Program
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Need To Update Your Contact Information
With VSEA?
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