The Non-Management Unit (NMU) is the largest bargaining unit in the Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA). It is made up of thousands of state employees who work across a wide variety of departments and job classifications — from frontline staff in human services to analysts, specialists, and technicians.
The NMU exists to give these employees a collective voice in the workplace. Through elected officers, the Executive Committee, and the Bargaining Team, the Unit represents members in negotiations with the State, protects workplace rights, and advocates for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions.
As part of VSEA, the NMU is also connected to the broader labor movement in Vermont, ensuring that non-management state workers have a seat at the table in decisions that affect their jobs, their communities, and the services Vermonters rely on every day.
Want to learn more about your Unit or how to get involved? Send us an email at vsea@vsea.org.
Quick Links:
- Non-Management Unit Documents and Updates
- View/Download The VSEA Non-Management Unit Contract
- NMU Job Titles
Officers & Trustee
The Unit’s officers help guide the work of the Bargaining Unit and keep its operations running smoothly. Each officer has a specific role.
Unit Chairperson: Keeps the Unit running between meetings, leads the team, and makes sure committees and vacancies are handled.
Bob Stone
Assistant State Fire Marshall, DPS
P: 802-881-1906
Unit Vice-Chairperson: Backs up the Unit Chairperson and steps in as Chair if needed.
Brad Herring
AOT Technician VI, AOT
P: 802-224-6128
Unit Clerk: Records what happens at unit and executive committee meetings and helps keep the Unit organized.
Marc Grimes
Education Consultant I, AOE
Unit Treasurer: Manages the Unit’s money and tracks all income and expenses.
Melissa Hurt
Licensed Nursing Assistant, VVH
P: (510) 810-8691
Trustee: Represents the Unit on the VSEA Board of Trustees
Bob Stone
Assistant State Fire Marshall, DPS
Executive Committee Members:
Manages the Unit’s business and makes sure policies are followed. The Officers are also members of the Executive Committee
Eric Davis
Environmental Analyst VI, DEC
802-448-2049
Joe Castellano
AOT Right of Way Appraiser, AOT
E: joseph.castellano@vermont.gov
P: 802-828-2608
Pierre LaMarche
AOT Master Maintenance Worker, AOT
P: 802-323-6959
Robert Ball
HVAC Specialist, BGS
Note: Unit Chair, Vice-Chair & Clerk are also part of Executive Committee
Bargaining Team Members:
The Unit Bargaining Team is made up of thirteen members. Twelve are elected from different occupational groups, and one serves as the Bargaining Team Clerk. Together, they represent the voices and interests of all unit members at the bargaining table.
The twelve representatives and the Bargaining Team Clerk each have a vote in team decisions. The Unit Vice-Chair is also a voting member, while the Unit Chair participates in meetings and votes only in the event of a tie. Members are elected at the Unit’s Annual Meeting, using groupings set by the Unit Executive Committee, to ensure fair and broad representation across occupations.
If a seat becomes vacant, the Executive Committee announces the opening and asks non-management unit members to submit letters of interest. If no one from the occupational group with the vacancy comes forward, the Executive Committee has the authority to appoint another eligible member from outside that group. This approach ensures the team remains full and ready to carry on its work without disruption.
Bargaining Team Clerk: Supports the Bargaining Team by keeping records of meetings and decisions, while also serving as a full voting member.
Thomas Randall
Agency of Digital Services
P: 802-522-8603
Administrative Professionals:
Tom Lague
Transportation Operations Technician III, AOT
Administrative, Fiscal, Research, Statistics, Planning and Development
Melissa Pettersson
Quality Control Specialist, DCF
Buildings, Trades and Maintenance, Stocks, Store and Communications
Robert Ball
HVAC Specialist, BGS
Case Workers
Hugh McGowan
AOT Technician V, AOT
Conservation and Agriculture
Clare Salerno
Working Lands Program Coordinator, VAAFM
Data Processing
Thomas Randall
IT Systems Developer IV, ADS
Engineering and Technical Support
Joe Castellano
AOT Right of Way Appraiser, AOT
Health Services and Laboratories
Abigail Bartram
Emergency Planner, VDH
Labor, Education, Libraries and Archival
Beth Berube
UC Claims Adjudicator II, VDOL
Law Enforcement, Legal, Inspections, Regulations and Protection
Jeremy Salvatori
AOT Project Manager II, AOT
E: jeremysalvatori@outlook.com
Patient Care and Mental Health
Melissa Hurt
Licensed Nursing Assistant, VVH
Transportation
Pierre “P.I.” Lamarche
AOT Master Maintenance Worker, AOT
Questions, ideas, or feedback?
We’d love to hear from you — contact any of the leaders listed above, or email us at vsea@vsea.org.