Vermont labor-relations board tells committee it is handling a case backlog and needs more neutrals and staff

The Vermont Labor Relations Board is working through a backlog of cases and needs more neutral board members and staff to keep up with hearings and written decisions, Executive Director Judith Dillon told the House Committee on General & Housing on April 2.

Dillon described the board’s work — from unit and representation petitions to grievances and unfair labor practice cases involving state employees, municipal employees and Vermont State colleges — and said staffing limits have contributed to delays in hearings and written rulings. She told the committee the board resolved 68 matters in the past year but still has older matters on its docket, including one unfair labor practice from February 2022 that has not yet received a written decision. She also said two neutral board members have resigned and the board needs two neutrals in place before a scheduled round of hearings in June.

Why it matters: delays at the VLRB affect employees, employers and unions that rely on the board for timely resolution of representation questions, contract impasse processes…