Senate Economic Development committee gives straw-poll backing to Proposition 3 ratification

Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs members held a committee straw poll March 19 signaling support to re-present Proposition 3 — a constitutional amendment that would establish a state constitutional right for workers to organize and collectively bargain — for a floor vote the next day.

The committee chair read the proposed amendment aloud and asked for a straw poll; members answered “Aye.” The proposal as read would amend the Constitution of the State of Vermont to state that citizens have a right to collectively bargain, that employees have the right to organize or join a labor organization and to negotiate with their employer through an exclusive representative on wages, hours and working conditions, and to protect workplace safety and economic welfare.

The chair said the amendment must be passed again by both chambers to appear on the November ballot and described the reading as a chance to ensure members were “anchored” in the text before the floor action. The committee previously voted unanimously on the measure last year, the chair said, and she expressed hope for similar support on the Senate floor.

Committee members discussed logistics for carrying the measure to the floor and coordinating remarks and a possible press event. No formal roll-call vote was recorded in committee beyond the straw poll; the chair said the item would be on the Senate floor calendar the following day.

What happens next: the measure will go to the full Senate for a formal vote. If approved again by both chambers as required by state law the proposal will appear on the November ballot for voters to decide.