Non-Management Bargaining Unit

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:

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

E: bob272vsea@gmail.com

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

E: bjh921@hotmail.com

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

E: marc.grimes@vermont.gov

Unit Treasurer: Manages the Unit’s money and tracks all income and expenses.

Melissa Hurt

Licensed Nursing Assistant, VVH

E: mcaw67@gmail.com

P: (510) 810-8691


Trustee: Represents the Unit on the VSEA Board of Trustees

Bob Stone

Assistant State Fire Marshall, DPS

E: bob272vsea@gmail.com

P: (802) 881-1906


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

ericpauldavis@gmail.com


Joe Castellano

AOT Right of Way Appraiser, AOT

E: joseph.castellano@vermont.gov

P: 802-828-2608

Pierre LaMarche

AOT Master Maintenance Worker, AOT

E: Plamarche11@gmail.com

P: 802-323-6959

Robert Ball

HVAC Specialist, BGS

E: rrrkball@gmail.com

P: (802) 624-1233

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

E: thomas.vsea@vtgrizz.com

P: 802-522-8603

Administrative Professionals:

Tom Lague

Transportation Operations Technician III, AOT

E: unctom07@gmail.com

P: (802) 766-8126

Administrative, Fiscal, Research, Statistics, Planning and Development

Melissa Pettersson

Quality Control Specialist, DCF

E: mpettersson@comcast.net

P: (802) 323-4326

Buildings, Trades and Maintenance, Stocks, Store and Communications

Robert Ball

HVAC Specialist, BGS

E: rrrkball@gmail.com

P: (802) 624-1233

Case Workers

Hugh McGowan

AOT Technician V, AOT

E: hugh.mcgowan.ski@gmail.com

P: (802) 793-6713

Conservation and Agriculture

Clare Salerno

Working Lands Program Coordinator, VAAFM

E: clare.salerno@gmail.com

P: (802) 730-7441

Data Processing

Thomas Randall

IT Systems Developer IV, ADS

E: thomas.vsea@vtgrizz.com  

P: (802) 782-7824

Engineering and Technical Support

Joe Castellano

AOT Right of Way Appraiser, AOT

E: joecaste@gmail.com

P: (802) 828-2608

Health Services and Laboratories

Abigail Bartram

Emergency Planner, VDH

E: abartram.vsea@gmail.com

P: (240) 676-6616

Labor, Education, Libraries and Archival

Beth Berube

UC Claims Adjudicator II, VDOL

E: bethberubevsea25@gmail.com

P: (860) 655-7100

Law Enforcement, Legal, Inspections, Regulations and Protection

Jeremy Salvatori

AOT Project Manager II, AOT

E: jeremysalvatori@outlook.com

P: (802) 249-8257

Patient Care and Mental Health

Melissa Hurt

Licensed Nursing Assistant, VVH

E: mcaw67@gmail.com

P: (510) 810-8691

Transportation

Pierre “P.I.” Lamarche

AOT Master Maintenance Worker, AOT

E: plamarche11@gmail.com

P: (802) 323-6959

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.