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The charge sets forth a pattern of the State merely going through the motions, engaging in surface bargaining, by making predictably unacceptable bargaining proposals, violating ground rules, insisting on waivers of bargaining rights, and other improper conduct–all with the intent to avoid a negotiated agreement so the contract could be decided by the VLRB at the Last Best Offer stage of the impasse proceedings.

In addition, the Scott Administration used the appointment of a new Board member to gain an unfair strategic advantage during the final stages, withholding information about the appointment and then successfully maneuvering to seat the new appointee the day before the hearing.

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Working through the day yesterday, VSEA’s Judiciary Unit Bargaining Team and the Court Administrator tentatively agreed to a new, two-year contract that will mirror the wage and benefit package just imposed on the VSEA Executive Branch Bargaining Teams.

The Team did achieve some impressive gains at the table, including: first-time hourly pay of 60 cents for "Relief from Abuse" stand-by assignments, starting in year two; and improvements to overtime and to the Unit’s designated education and development fund.

Unit and Team Chair Margaret Crowley is thanking the Team and all Judiciary Unit members for their solidarity throughout a months-long, tough process.

Judiciary Unit members will vote soon on the tentative agreement.​

VTDigger posted a story on Friday about the VSEA campaign to stop the confirmation of Karen O’Neill to a "neutral" seat on the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB). At the end of the story, Ms. O’Neill comments:

"But I strongly disagree with [VSEA’s] suggestion based on that decision that I am not qualified to serve as a neutral because I can’t ‘be reasonably considered to be able to serve as an impartial individual.’”

Nope. Not at all what VSEA is contending and please don’t allow this to be the narrative, because it’s not based in fact.

VSEA contends that Karen O’Neill should not be confirmed as a "neutral" because her work history (which only just concluded) is not consistent with the statute’s definition of "neutral."

Does Karen O’Neill qualify for a management seat? No doubt, but that is not what is on the table here.

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