Bill H.174 proposes significant changes to the Vermont Labor Relations Board's handling of grievances and unfair labor practices. The bill aims to remove grievances from the Board's workload, establishing that the final step in the grievance process will be binding arbitration instead of an appeal to the Board. It amends current law to clarify that collective bargaining agreements must include binding arbitration as the final step in grievance procedures, and it specifies that grievances from retired University of Vermont employees will also be subject to binding arbitration. Additionally, the bill introduces deadlines for processing unfair labor practice charges, requiring responses and hearings to occur within specified timeframes.

Key amendments include the deletion of provisions that allowed grievances to be heard by the Labor Relations Board and the insertion of new language that mandates binding arbitration as the final step in grievance procedures. The bill also sets forth timelines for the handling of unfair labor practices, ensuring that responses and hearings are conducted in a timely manner. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3-904, 3-926, 3-928, 3-941, 3-1001, 3-965