Petition Brings
Sense to
Boss,
Cents to Local
225 Members
RUTLAND, Vt.
When the management of Vermont Achievement Center (VAC), a daycare, school
and social service provider, cried poverty and wouldn’t change its proposal
of no wage increases for the next three years, the UE membership turned out in
force to reject management’s proposal. Local 225 members drew up a petition
that everyone working that day signed. With this show of unity, the local
union succeeded in winning a one-year agreement with no change in their
portion of the health premiums and a wage increase of $.35 an hour for
everyone.
Union members improved their benefits by increasing the childcare discount
for employees whose children attend the VAC daycare from 10 percent to 20
percent for employees who make less than $20,000 and to 15 percent for
employees who make more than $20,000. Members also won the ability to donate
sick days to employees who have exhausted their bank.
PROTECTIONS
In addition to the good economic gains, the local secured a number of
important on-the-job protections. The new contract limits management’s
ability to temporarily transfer employees. The agreement also ends management’s
ability to permanently transfer employees to different assignments within the
same classification. The local shortened the amount of time disciplinary
records remain in an employee’s file and won the requirement that management
notify employees in advance when they are to receive an unsatisfactory
evaluation or be called into a meeting which might lead to discipline.
The negotiating committee consisted of Pres. Brian McDermott, Vice
Pres. Sue Fuller, Fin. Sec. Matt Coffin, and Courtney Mason
and Samantha Blow, co-corresponding and recording secretaries. The
local was assisted by Field Org. Heather Riemer.
UE News - 11/01
