The bill S.125 amends various sections of Vermont's labor relations laws, particularly focusing on collective bargaining processes and definitions related to employees within the Judiciary Department. Key changes include the removal of the term "supervisory" from the definition of excluded employees and the introduction of new criteria for filing petitions regarding bargaining units. Specifically, the bill allows employees or groups to file petitions with the Board to form or decertify a bargaining unit, requiring signatures from at least 50 percent plus one of the employees, rather than the previous threshold of 51 percent. This change aims to streamline the process for employees seeking to change their representation.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the procedures for petitioning the Board, including the requirement for employers to respond to petitions within seven business days and the establishment of a timeline for hearings and elections. It also specifies that the certification of a negotiating unit remains valid for a defined period, with provisions for challenging the current representative through a petition process. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, reflecting a significant shift in how collective bargaining is approached in Vermont.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 21-602, 21-640b, 21-650, 3-1011
As Passed By the Senate -- Official: 21-602, 21-640b, 21-650, 3-1011, 3-941, 29-161
As Passed By the Senate -- Unofficial: 21-602, 21-640b, 21-650, 3-1011, 3-941, 29-161
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 21-602, 21-640b, 21-650, 3-1011, 3-941, 29-161, 3-1021, 16-1992, 21-1724, 21-1635, 33-3607
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 3-1011, 3-941, 3-1021, 16-1992, 21-1724, 21-1635, 33-3607