You did it! The Vermont House passed (by 80-60) the Vermont Employee Free Choice Act (H 353), the public sector version of the Employee Free Choice Act as regards majority card check recognition.  Thanks everyone who called, sent a message to your Representative, or testified!  And thanks to our Workers' Rights Board members who helped make this a priority. 

"(This bill) recognizes the importance of people being able to come together at work to create organizations that give employees a say in their wages, benefits and working conditions. It provides a fair process that recognizes that once a majority of workers chooses to form a union, unfair obstacles should not be placed in their way." - Jennifer Henry, the president of the United Professions of Vermont/AFT

The primary beneficiaries of this bill, if it passes the senate and survives an expected veto by the governor, will be the professional and clerical staff at UVM.  If 50% +1 of them sign that they want to bargain collectively, their union would be certified. 

This is the first time in recent history that the House leadership has stood behind organized labor.  The push for passage was the result of a strong collaborative effort by Working Vermont, the coalition of all Vermont labor unions, and the Vermont Workers Center.

Special recognition goes to Representatives Floyd Nease of Johnson and Helen Head, South Burlington for their support.  If you live in their districts, please thank them:  fnease@leg.state.vt.us   hhead@leg.state.vt.us

Together, We Won the First Round

You took them by surprise. But we can count on well funded, well connected forces like the Associated Industries of Vermont to try to prevent this workers’ rights bill from becoming law.  Please stay involved - our fight for fairness has only begun.

House votes to make it easier for workers to join unions
By Shay Totten | Vermont Guardian
MONTPELIER — Lawmakers approved a measure Thursday that would make it easier for employees at Vermont’s state colleges and the University of Vermont to form unions.
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House backs controversial union rules
By Daniel Barlow Vermont Press Bureau
MONTPELIER — The Vermont House passed a sweeping change in unionization laws for state employees Thursday, a move that supporters believe could result in the formation of new bargaining units at state colleges if it is signed into law.

The bill allows workers at the University of Vermont and other state colleges to form unions by getting 50 percent of the workers to sign cards. Often called a card-check election, the new system would bypass the traditional union election.
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