Bill > H0173

This bill amends existing Vermont state law to specifically grant employees of the Vermont State Colleges and the University of Vermont the right to strike, which was previously prohibited for state employees. The proposed changes modify two sections of the Vermont State Code (3 V.S.A. § 903 and § 962) to remove language preventing state employees from striking and instead create explicit exceptions for higher education employees. Specifically, the bill removes the general prohibition on state employees striking and changes unfair labor practice definitions to explicitly allow strikes by Vermont State Colleges and University of Vermont employees. The language updates use gender-neutral terminology (changing "his or her" to "the employee's" or "the individual's") and includes a provision that the act will take effect on July 1, 2025. This legislative change would represent a significant shift in labor rights for public higher education employees in Vermont, giving them the legal ability to engage in work stoppages and collective bargaining actions that were previously forbidden.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.173