The VLRB has jurisdiction to resolve employee grievances under the State Employees Labor Relations Act. The Board has jurisdiction to "hear and make final determination on the grievances" of State employees, State Colleges employees and University of Vermont employees. [1] Although the statute provides that the VLRB shall make "final determination" on grievances, Board decisions are appealable "on questions of law" to the Vermont Supreme Court.[2] The Board also has jurisdiction to “hear and make final determination on a grievance” under the Judiciary Employee Relations Act unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. [3]
This section will primarily address general considerations that apply in grievances filed with the Board under the State Employees Act since almost all of the grievances heard by the Board have come under this act rather than the Judiciary Act. There also is a discussion on the Vermont Arbitration Act, which applies in cases where unions and employer submit grievances to an arbitrator, rather than the VLRB. In the two succeeding sections, grievances in specific subject areas are addressed.
It should be noted that, even though these sections on grievances primarily involve cases where the forum for grievance resolution is the VLRB, parties who submit their grievances to arbitrators rather than the VLRB may benefit from the guidance provided in VLRB cases on specific issues which they may be confronting.
Practices and Procedures in Resolving Grievances
"Actual Controversy" Requirement
Former Employee Filing Grievance
Duty to Provide Information During Grievance Process
[1] 3 V.S.A. §926.
[2] 3 V.S.A. §1003.
[3] 3 V.S.A. § 1017(a).