Overview of the Informed Choice Site

In the world of employment, we encounter choices. Whether choosing a place to work, a retirement plan or a health care provider, we need information in order to make informed choices. Perhaps no choice in the workplace has more importance to you than the choice of whether to participate in forming a bargaining unit. This website is designed to provide you with information to help you think through your own decision and make an informed choice.

Your thoughts and questions are valued. If you wish to ask a question that isn't addressed on this site, click on “Submit a Question” in the main menu. Submitted questions (without any identifying information) will be considered for inclusion under the appropriate topic area. If you include an e-mail address, we will respond to you personally; if you don't include your name or e-mail address, your question will be completely anonymous.

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Notice that there is a search box just under the banner above that will allow you to search just this website.

Recent Questions of General Interest

Non-exempt and professional staff are currently receiving correspondence, phone calls, and, in some cases, home visits from union representatives (USU-NEA). These contacts have prompted additional questions from staff about union activities:

I am a professional staff member at UVM, why am I being approached by NEA union representatives?

It is our understanding that USU-NEA is making renewed efforts to promote interest in unionizing among UVM staff. The focus of these efforts appears to be an attempt to organize a new bargaining unit composed of UVM professional employees.

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I thought the NEA lost the union election last November and has to wait a year before it can again approach University employees?

The NEA does not have to wait a year to approach UVM employees about organizing. They must wait a year before filing a new election petition for a proposed bargaining unit that includes specialized, clerical, and technical employees (the group involved in the November election).

The election last November was for a specific bargaining unit composed of specialized, clerical and technical employees. The NEA may file a petition for any other type of bargaining unit at any time, assuming they have the signatures of at least 30% of the employees in the proposed unit.

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A union representative recently came to my home unsolicited. How did the NEA representative get my name and address?

Under federal and state labor laws, UVM is required to provide names and employment-specific information that is a matter of public record, upon the request of the union; however, at this time the University is not providing home addresses. This information often can be easily obtained via the phonebook or Internet.

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Is it true that non-represented employees receive different medical and parental leave benefits than represented employees?

This is not true. Both represented and non-represented full-time staff members receive the same medical and parental leave benefits.

It should be noted, however, that there is a difference between faculty and staff in the way that parental and medical leaves are accrued and managed. The difference stems largely from the semester-long nature of faculty teaching assignments and the way that teaching replacements for faculty on parental leave must be scheduled.