CHANGES TO THE VERMONT LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
After serving the Vermont Labor Relations Board for nearly twenty-seven years, Richard Park, the Board Chair is retiring from the Board. Mr. Park was first appointed by Governor Howard Dean in 1995, and was reappointed by Governors Douglas, Shumlin, and Scott. His Board colleagues chose him to serve as their Chair from 2002-2004, 2010-2014, and finally 2017 to January 2023. During his tenure, he helped shepherd the Board through legislative and administrative changes and helped clarify and establish legal principles that guide labor and management relations today. His fellow Board members and Board staff thank him for his service and leadership and his contributions to labor law. Over the next few months, Mr. Park will continue to work on the resolution of matters over which he presided during his tenure.
Although we will miss the departure of our long serving Chair, the Board is pleased to announce that the Governor has appointed Michelle Phelps, of Georgia, to serve on the Vermont Labor Relations Board. Michelle brings to the Board years of experience as a Human Resources Manager. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, proficient in Italian, and lives in Georgia with her husband and three boys.
At its January meeting, the newly constituted Board, voted unanimously to elect Robert Greemore as its Chair.
ABOUT THE VERMONT LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
The Vermont Labor Relations Board ("VLRB" "Board") is charged with resolving labor relations disputes under the State Employees Labor Relations Act, Municipal Employee Relations Act, Labor Relations for Teachers Act, State Labor Relations Act, Judiciary Employees Labor Relations Act, Independent Direct Support Providers Labor Relations Act, and Early Care and Education Providers Labor Relations Act. The Board determines appropriate bargaining units, conducts representation elections, and adjudicates unfair labor Practice charges in cases involving relations between employers (State of Vermont, Vermont State Colleges, University of Vermont, municipal employers, school districts, and small private employers) and their employees. In addition, with respect to the State, State Colleges and UVM, the Board makes final determinations on employee grievances and aids in resolving disputes. Further, there are other statutory provisions granting the Board jurisdiction to resolve disputes in various areas.
The Board consists of six citizen members paid on a per diem basis. The Board has two employees, a full-time Executive Director, and a part-time Clerk.
Due to the enduring COVID-19 Pandemic, the VLRB will continue to accept electronic filings, in all cases except Petitions for Election of Collective Bargaining Representative. Because these Petitions for Election must be accompanied by sufficient showing of interest, the original must be filed with the Board to initiate the action. Subsequent filings can be made electronically.