Hey there, it’s Steve Howard, your Executive Director, checking in from the State House during these final days of the legislative session. We’re keeping tabs on 16 key issues, but here’s a quick update on three big ones:
The House is about to pass the Pay Act, securing funding for negotiated contracts.
We’re pushing for Senate approval on extending PTSD presumption to high-stress job members.
We’ve made progress in bolstering hospital coverage for our corrections personnel.
This morning, the Vermont House passed Proposal 3 by a vote of 129 to 8. Proposal 3 would affirm a Vermont worker’s right to collective bargaining and would put the issue to a vote by all Vermonters. Today’s vote sets the stage for another trip through the legislature next year, which is required for proposals, and then, if the result is the same, it will be placed on the 2026 ballot.
In the House (literally) to lobby for the proposal and witness the vote was a contingent of VT labor leaders, pictured here (l to r): Dan Justice (AFL-CIO), Aimee Towne (VSEA), Kim Hokanson (North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters), Larry Moquin (Laborers Local 668), Steve Sawyer (Roofers Local 241, Liz Medina (State Labor Council), Micahael Rossi (Roofers Local 241)
The VSEA Awards/Scholarships Committee is currently soliciting applications from students seeking financial assistance in the pursuit of post-secondary educational goals.
The Committee will announce the recipients of the scholarships in June.