State Worker RIF Elite Meeting
Montpelier July 16, 2009
Capitol Plaza
Meeting for State Workers recently RIFd
We Are the Chosen Ones
Out of 660 initial targets, the Governor was able to squeeze only about 123 actual hits. Today, some of these elite are meeting in Montpelier to discuss our experiences, to identify resources and ways of getting the most out of this exciting time in our lives.
Blog by a Vermont Government Worker
Medical Coverage - Great News Right Off the Bat
Bring on the band, we are not going to die! Medical coverage for RIFd workers is handled by Catamount health program, provided by the State of Vermont.
Proof of US citizenship required. Drivers license plus birth certificate is idea. Not sure about social security cards
This great news was delivered by Peter Sterling of the Vermont Campaign for Health Care Security Education fund, in association with the state workers labor union (VSEA). 95% of private insurance plans not as good as Catamount.
Member support fund available for cash grants to workers who have lost jobs.
Reporter interested in stories such as:
RIF into positions not properly qualified
Mismanagement
Leads for People Displaced
Onion River Exchange
Car Share
www.cvoeo.org, especially micro business and money grow programs
Send letter to VSEA Board c/o VSEA HQ office to stay on as members for 2 years, go get discounts, Advantage program saves money for members.
Cash support from the Member Support Fund
EAP representative Myra Handy
Coping with Stress due to job loss
Free half hour of financial consulting
Consumer Credit Counselling Services of New Hampshire of Vermont (great website)
1-5 sessions
888-834-2830
Common Observations
Unfair
Mismanagement
Administration not willing to work with employees to make government more efficient
Importance of contacting people daily, avoiding isolation
Approach businesses with ideas for working part time, identifying what you can do, where you can stretch
Capitol Grounds unemployed all morning
Last year Kellogg Hubbard Library did program for career development
123 RIF elite
Additional management members
No More Layoffs is not completely helpful statement
Douglas's bargaining has been not good faith situation.
Douglas to Dean, as Douglas was coming into office: "that (raise of 2.5%) is more than I would have given them (state workers)." This is a keynote.
Code of silence.
Employees will not go onto record for fear of retaliation
Pro union legislators Paul Porior, Floyd Nease
Conor Casey and Taryn Moran, Lobbyists
Retirement incentive program was pushed to open positions for RIF people to get new jobs.
Up to 300 people. Deadline is July 31st. Currently 270 have signed up.
We will know which positions will become vacated around August 5.
Out of 300 positions, 100 will not be filled. That means about 200 positions will become open for RIF elite.
Unemployment Fund
Michael Sirotkin, Working Vermont, who represents a number of unions at the State House, here to discuss insolvency of unemployment insurance fund. Risk that benefit levels can be cut. No COLA and Douglas Administration wants to cut rate from 57% to 50% of gross pay. Michael needs people to speak to legislature about impact of being unemployed. First hearing is July 23 at 1:00 in State House.
Businesses pay unemployment on first $8,000 of pay only.
Vermont stands alone trying to cut unemployment benefits among 35 states facing pressure on unemployment insurance fund.
Only about 50% of unemployed are eligible for benefits, due to issues of alleged misconduct or contribution levels.
VSEA Mailings
VSEA is a diverse union, in the sense that not all members are politically oriented the same way. As a result, VSEA cannot send strong political messages, without working against large group of members.
Next Joint Fiscal Committee meeting is Aug 5. Update on early requirement will be part of that meeting.
Revenue forecast released today was worse than expected, showing $28 million bigger deficit than previously estimated.
Problem with position qualifications not matching reality.
Supervisor can agree you do not qualify, to avoid taking a strike, providing you show willingness to try.
Joni McClay Activist and Retiree
Looking for volunteers for Champlain Valley Exposition. Two shifts per day, 10-4 and 4-10.
Aug 29 - Sept 7. Free ticket for fair and parking. Also looking for core committee members to help design and build the booth.
Also going to collect food for food shelf.
VSE Aid T-Shirts (Black with white cross) Blood drives, volunteer projects.
VSEA could potentially carry our banner in parade. Music and dancers
Put names of RIF elite into spots on banner by county.
60 people are needed. VSEA staff is participating. Joni has been lobbying for this for 15 years.
mims381@netzero.com to reach Joni. 872-0939 home, 999-8082 mobile
Bringing the colors home, Black Calvary, at 10:00 August 1 (Saturday). Fort Ethan Allen
Raise money for member support.
Sherry Hable - Vermont Department of Labor
Career Development Facilitator
802-476-2615 office
793-4068 mobile
Vermont Job Link - Job Spidering
Example: "office clerk" will hit maybe 15 jobs within state gov, but spidering might return 250 jobs
Resume writing tips discussed.
Transferable skills are a "big thing" and you have to be careful.
Book - Surviving a Layoff
Helps you learn how deal with creditors and other aspects of dealing with job dislocation.
Federal Workforce Investment Act
Federal funds for training workers to make workers ready for new work
Unemployment "income disregard" is part of managing unemployment
Rule from Unemployment - do not apply for a job you are not willing to accept, because if you are offered but do not accept, you could be in trouble.
Classes are offered by Department of Labor. Weekly classes in Barre, for example. This can serve as a starting point for getting a resume together. Every Monday, at Barre Dept of Labor from 1-2pm on Workforce Investment funds.
Talk to David Lar in Barre for technology education program like the business plan contemplated by Montpelier Telecom. 476-2600
VSAC for non-degree grants.
Fastweb.com
Rose is the state wide grant manager for Workforce Investment Act
Comes across as though Vermont Department of Labor has a lot of federal stimulus money.
Greg Vooheis writes grants to get federal money and gives out money via grants given by DOL. (802) 828-4343
Dept of Labor has assessment tests to see check skills, personality, and interests.
Sherry has 3 pages of links for job searching
Would be possible to put together programs specifically for state workers
Department of Labor can provide mock interviews for practice, and in general be a cheerleader.
Tip: if you cite a strength in yourself during an interview, you need to be ready to back the statement with specific examples.
