Busy Times
Posted on | January 27, 2012 | No Comments
A lot has happened over the last few weeks in the efforts to build an employee association for UVM staff. Here’s a summary of the events:
In mid-December of last year, organizers from the Vermont NEA (calling themselves University Staff Union) filed a petition [link to PDF] with the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB) to have an election for a bargaining unit to represent approximately 431 of the 1500+ unrepresented staff at UVM. United Staff has consistently worked to build an employee association that will include all currently unrepresented staff, but we filed an intervening petition [link to PDF] one week ago to ensure that if there was an election for this smaller group, United Staff would be included. On Thursday, January 26th, UVM responded to these petitions [link to PDF] suggesting that more staff should be included in the bargaining unit.
So what happens next? The Vermont Labor Relations Board will preside over hearings where representatives of the VT-NEA and the UVM administration will both make cases for their preferred definition of the bargaining unit. The VLRB will then decide on the appropriate grouping. United Staff representatives will attend these discussions, but our participation may be limited due to our position as intervenors. The outcome of the hearing will determine the next steps for everyone involved.
The University’s formal response to the NEA’s petition aligns with United Staff’s long time assertion that the strongest union for professional, technical and clerical staff at the University of Vermont would be all-inclusive, minus the managerial staff, as the University’s response stipulates. United Staff, the local, independent employee association, continues to advocate and organize for a unified staff working together across the university community. As the chosen collective bargaining representative of the staff, United Staff will negotiate with the administration for meaningful salary increases, affordable benefits, continued tuition remission, parental leave and child care, among other important working conditions, to help create the workplace UVM claims to offer its staff, that which is steeped in social justice, humanity, fairness and respect.
FAQ’s About Union Elections
Posted on | October 25, 2011 | No Comments
A representative from the United Staff organizing committee spoke with Tim Noonan, Executive Director of the Vermont Labor Relations Board (VLRB) earlier this month regarding some common questions about card-signing, elections, and ballots. Most of the information summarized below can be found in the VLRB Rules of Practice, and section 13, which covers the questions we’re interested in, is here: http://vlrb.vermont.gov/sites/vlrb/files/Rules%20of%20Practice/Part%201/Article%2013.pdf
First, it is correct that we need at least 30 percent showing-of-interest to file our petition for an election, and that an “intervening” union effort would need 10 percent to get themselves onto the same election ballot. The timing is strict: after we file our 30 percent or more with the VLRB, the VLRB notifies UVM, and UVM has to post/announce that a labor organizing attempt is underway. From the date of that posting, the “intervening” union effort has 10 days to produce their 10-percent petition or cards. This is detailed in section 13.10.
Second, if there are three options on the ballot – United Staff (US), the VT-NEA affiliated union (USU), and No Union – and none of the options receives 50% plus 1 of the votes, a run-off election will be held between the top two choices, as outlined in section 13.21.
Third, there’s the question of what happens if people sign two different cards, one for US and one for the VT-NEA affiliated union. Do they cancel each other out? Does the card with the most recent signature count? Or are both cards taken at face value as “showings of interest”? Mr. Noonan himself doesn’t know the answer to this, and he said that at this point, nobody else can know this either. There’s no reference to the situation in the VLRB Rules of Practice. He explained that the main question when the VLRB examines and counts the cards is, “has a sufficient showing of interest been presented?” and the Board will make an administrative ruling on this point, using the cards submitted by both organizations. However, how exactly they will determine the validity of the cards is not specified. (Although the National Labor Relations Board “dual-card doctrine” ruling implies that the contradictory cards would cancel each other out, Mr. Noonan said the VLRB is not required to follow NLRB rulings.)
If for some reason the VLRB decides we have NOT shown sufficient interest, we are notified of that fact, and we will be given “a reasonable amount of time, but not less than ten days” to present more cards. See section 13.6 (B).
United Staff: Your Independent Union
Posted on | September 28, 2011 | No Comments
As we talk with people, one question we’re hearing is, “Why go independent? Why not join a powerful existing union?” Well, we considered affiliating with several national unions, but in the end, we realized we have all of the skills, energy, and wisdom we need to do this by ourselves, and to do it well. Affiliation is not a requirement for a union. We feel that forming an independent union matches well with the Vermont ideals of self-reliance and self-sufficiency – and we get the added benefit of doing things our way, without having to bend to a national union’s agenda or pay their higher dues. Our talented, experienced members have great ideas and strong opinions, and we are fully capable of negotiating for our own interests. Choosing independence is a bold, creative choice, and we are proud of it!
Do you love working at UVM?
Posted on | September 21, 2011 | No Comments
Do you love working at UVM but feel the working conditions could be better? Do you worry that your benefits will be cut or changed without prior notice or discussion? Do you wonder how you can make your needs known, and your voice heard, when the administration makes decisions that affect you?
We have great news! United Staff is an independent labor organization at UVM which is not affiliated with any national union. We - your co-workers and colleagues - have been busy building a staff union which will work for our best interests. It is time, now more than ever, for the unrepresented staff to have a strong, united voice.
United Staff: soon to be your union
Posted on | August 27, 2011 | No Comments
United Staff is a grassroots organization of currently unrepresented staff at the University of Vermont who are forming an independent union so that we will have a seat at the negotiating table to participate in important decisions about our salaries, benefits, working conditions, and problem solving.
United Staff is now officially incorporated, with elected officers of the non-profit and a constitution. We’re working with a top rate Vermont law firm that specializes in labor law, and our CPA has our financial paperwork in order. We’re ready to become a strong local union for the staff at the University of Vermont!