Minutes of the Central Vermont Chapter January 25, 2012 At the Pavilion Conference Room Montpelier, Vermont
Members Present: Susan Martin, AJ Van Tassel, Suzanne Arrand, Arthur Hamlin, Jeff Gagne, Cassandra Edson, John Quinn, Paul Beyor, Bonnie Kynoch, Nellie Gillander, Teba Toffling- Holmes, Jonathan Goddard, Lucas Herring, Kevin Gaffney Staff: Mark Mitchell, Rebecca McBroom, Robyn Freedner-Maguire
Meeting came to order at 12:14, with a quorum present.
Minutes, Budget & Treasurer’s Report were tabled so VSEA Director, Mark Mitchell could speak early in the agenda and attend a 1pm press conference on the State Hospital.
Mark Mitchell’s update: Contract ratification ballots have been mailed out. Please mail in your ballots to show support for contract. Meanwhile, the State Hospital situation has exploded and will be a continuing struggle. Related Note: See the VT Digger article – nine State Hospital patients have died since the flood. Privatization info was distributed at a press conference without notifying VSEA. The Shumlin administration does not appear to be supporting us. Patients are not being given the care and protection they need. Mitchell is the first VSEA director ever hired from outside Vermont. Other issues he sees: Hundreds of state employees are classified as ineligible from joining the union and the number seems to be increasing. Retirees positions are being filled by these ineligible people and “grandfathered” people are increasing. It’s a three-tiered problem:
Agency fee payers Exempt classification Grandfathered employees
Communication & Recruitment Of all the VSEA chapters, the Central VT Chapter is the “weakest link” with the weakest membership numbers. Because of our large membership, we should be the most active. Information about benefits of union membership should be presented in every employee at orientation.
The minutes should have gone up on the website sooner. Because most members had not seen them, approval of the November minutes was tabled until the March meeting.
There was a discussion about email addresses being available. Robyn said that “any active member” can request a list from Pres. Reese who will allow it if there is a good reason. Arthur said the system of contacting members needs to be improved. Cassandra thinks the agenda and minutes should be emailed to the membership. There was more discussion of the pros & cons of emailing routine information that should be already on the website. December Council Meeting: Overall the meeting was optimistic and upbeat due to the content of the proposed contract. Some fear was expressed about the “Pay Act” where funding for the contract is decided by the legislature.
Treasurer’s Report Teba Toffling-Holmes was appointed Treasurer to replace AJ Van Tassel who is now on the Board of Trustees. Bonnie moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Arthur seconded. Motion passed to accept it as read.
Proposed Budget for Future Activities In the December Officer’s meeting, a proposed budget was drawn up to estimate the costs of future chapter activities. This was the first time an annual budget was developed so that chapter priorities such as EADs would not be under-funded. The amounts on the budget proposed mean “no more than.” It is a guideline for future funding – not set in stone. There is some room for adjustment but not much and motions to amend the budget can still happen. In April or May our chapter will be getting a rebate of approximately $3000 to cover chapter expenses. More rebate money is possible if more Waterbury members join us. Lucas explained how the overall VSEA budget works. He liked having a proposed annual chapter budget and felt that it was needed.
The question was called and voted. The Budget was approved as read.
Worksite Contacts Arthur is putting together a list of contacts. He needs help in identifying a contact person for each building. Call him or shoot him an email if you have any ideas about who would make a good contact. Lucas suggested including a list of stewards when we distribute it. Rebecca asked for a copy because a list of contacts would be useful to her as well.
Meeting adjourned at 1:00pm
Respectfully submitted, Suzanne Leblanc Arrand Secretary