Vetoed by Governor Phil Scott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that authorizes supervisors in Vermont's judiciary system to form a union.

Highlights:

• Defines “employees” as judiciary supervisors for the purposes of this Section (Sec. 5). 

• Authorizes employees to file a petition with the Vermont Labor Relations Board expressing a desire to be represented for collective bargaining (Sec. 5).

• Requires the employee or group of employees filing the petition to include the signatures of at least 30% of the employees that will be represented in collective bargaining (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes employees to file a petition with the Board, containing signatures of over 50% of the employees represented by a collective bargaining agent, expressing that the current bargaining agent is no longer supported by a majority of the employees (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Board to determine the appropriate unit for collective bargaining in each case and the employees to be included in that unit to assure employees the fullest freedom in exercising bargaining rights (Sec. 5).

• Requires a hearing before the Board in the event that the employer challenges the appropriateness of a proposed bargaining unit, if the dispute is not resolved prior to the hearing (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes the Board to informally mediate any dispute regarding the appropriateness of a proposed bargaining unit prior to a hearing (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Board to conduct an election by secret ballot of employees to determine the representation unit (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that the ballot must permit a vote against representation by anyone named on the ballot, and that no representative may be named with less than a majority support (Sec. 5).

Full Bill Text