Executive Director: “State employees struggling under the weight of ever-increasing costs and a failing economy under Governor Scott can’t give up the fight, and neither will their union.”

The Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA), the union representing over 6,000 Vermont State employees, vowed Friday to continue to pursue every available legal channel to fight against Governor Scott’s mandated return to commuting for State workers after this morning’s Vermont Supreme Court ruling. 

VSEA President Margaret Crowley focused on the impacts to Vermonters of Scott’s “return to commute” policy, noting “when the Governor embarked on this regrettable course of action, it is clear that the needs of everyday Vermonters — both those who work in State government and their neighbors whom they serve — were the furthest thing from his mind.

“We heard immediately from members that this change would necessitate two-hour commutes for families already struggling to find housing and childcare under this Administration,” said Crowley, adding that if the policy stands, many State employees will be forced to leave public service “leaving Vermonters without their expertise and experience because they simply can’t afford to work for the State under the Scott Economy.”

“It is clear from the Court’s ruling that its analysis did not probe beyond the Governor’s purported rationales for instituting this harmful change in working conditions, but rather focused on his power under the telework agreement” said Steve Howard, VSEA’s Executive Director. “While we wholly accept the Court’s authority in this case, we fundamentally reject the Governor’s pretenses as to why he set out on this destructive course of action,” added Howard, noting that avenues for further legal challenges remain.

“The decision issued today says nothing about what VSEA believes to be a clear violation of the Flexible Working Arrangement statute, and we will continue to fight — both under that statute and at the bargaining table — to ensure that the Governor’s mandate is reversed,” said Howard.

This article was sourced primarily from a VSEA press statement.