An agreement between The University of Vermont and the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America, Local 267 (“UE”) has been ratified by the UE membership. The union represents over 330 service and maintenance workers at UVM. The three-year contract includes wage increases and a $15 minimum wage or so-called “wage floor.”

“The university greatly appreciates the contributions that its employees make, which are integral to UVM’s continued success,” said UVM President Suresh Garimella. “I am pleased that we were able build on the progress we have made toward ensuring that all employees earn a livable wage. The increase to a $15 per hour wage floor in this contract is an important milestone.”

Speaking on behalf of the bargaining committee, Mike Wells, president of UE Local 267, said, “We appreciate that we were able to work in partnership with the university, through collective bargaining to come to this agreement. Our members, as the essential workers of this university community, keep the campus clean and safe, plow the roads, drive the shuttles, and make a myriad of important contributions to the operation of this university and its facilities.”

“We are pleased that we successfully reached agreement with UE, and that the union membership has ratified the terms,” said Mary Brodsky, associate chief human resource officer at UVM. “Our service and maintenance workers play a vital role in fulfilling the core mission and operations of the university. This year has been especially difficult, and our service and maintenance employees went the extra mile to keep our campus facilities properly maintained and running smoothly. We appreciate their efforts and have worked to protect their jobs and their health.”

Under the terms of the new 3-year contract with UE, an increase to the minimum hourly wage, from $14 per hour to $15 per hour, will go into effect immediately. Additionally, covered employees will receive a 35-cent per hour pay increase in year two (FY22) and a 50-cent per hour increase in year three (FY23). The contract also includes an increase to the on-call premium, from $15 to $20 per day.

At UVM, Brodsky emphasized, whether employees are represented by a union or not, the university is committed to treating all employees fairly and providing competitive compensation and benefits based on comparable market rates and conditions.