Union leaders and employees tell House panel DCF Economic Services culture is harming staff and clients

Members of the Vermont State Employees Association and several Economic Services Division employees told the Vermont House Committee on Human Services on an extended panel that workplace decisions and management practices at the Department for Children and Families are damaging employee morale and the delivery of services to Vermonters.

Steve Howard, executive director of the Vermont State Employees Association, told the committee “there is a term called concerted activity,” and said union organizing and testimony to legislators are protected under state and federal law and the bargaining contract. Howard said union members have faced pressure after meeting with legislators and that the union will pursue remedies through the Vermont Labor Relations Board and the courts if necessary.

The witnesses described several specific problems in Economic Services: the department’s caseload counting method does not reflect differences in case acuity; a shortage of case aides and foster families; widespread fear of retaliation for speaking up; and the sudden revocation of preferred hybrid telework arrangements. “The deputy commissioner has betrayed the trust of…