By a vote of 335 to 303, University of Vermont staff members chose not to be represented by the Vermont State Employees Association union. A simple majority of employees who participated in the Dec. 16-17 election was required to determine the outcome.

The proposed bargaining unit approved by the Vermont Labor Relations Board consisted of approximately 760 employees in administrative/clerical, technical and specialist positions. The unit did not include temporary employees; work-study students; or employees in supervisory, confidential or management positions.

Throughout the union organizing and election process, the university’s position was to ensure that employees had access to all the information needed in order to make an informed choice, as well as to encourage employees to participate in the election.

“We felt that it was very important for employees to be well informed on all union representation issues,” said Wanda Heading-Grant, vice president for Human Resources, Diversity, and Multicultural Affairs. “Given that the outcome of the election had the potential of determining the terms and conditions of employment for this group of staff for years to come, we felt it was critical to encourage employees to vote in the election.”

“In the end, employees decided that it was not in their wish to have union representation,” said Heading-Grant. “The University of Vermont is an exceptional institution that depends on a community of dedicated people for its successful operation. The university has made remarkable progress in recent years. We are poised to reach even greater heights in the future. The excellent work of UVM staff is essential to fulfilling that promising future. I appreciate and applaud the many contributions they make to the realization of the vision for UVM. As we move forward, we are determined to sustain a positive work environment for UVM staff.”