The board of the state workers’ union voted Monday to reinstate Mark Mitchell as executive director of the Vermont State Employees Association, pending an investigation. Mitchell will be placed on paid administrative leave until the probe, which could last as long as a month, is completed.
Mitchell was abruptly dismissed by the board Wednesday after a seven-hour executive session. The board voted 10-5 to fire Mitchell without pay after two lawyers for the union, Mike Casey and Abigail Winters, accused him of violating labor laws.
The board held an emergency meeting Monday and reversed its decision after trustees engaged in a review of new information and a lengthy debate.
The investigation, which is to begin immediately, will be conducted by a third party, according to a statement from the association.
In an interview, Mitchell said he will be represented by Burlington attorney John Franco. “I was gratified by the decision by the board today, and I look forward to the end of the investigation,” he said. Mitchell did not attend the board meeting and has not been told what legal violations may have occurred under his watch.
Steve Howard, a lobbyist for the union, and Kathi Partlow, operations director, will serve as interim co-directors of the union. Previously, the board had named Casey as the temporary leader of VSEA.
The union released the following statement:
Today’s action by the VSEA Board of Trustees demonstrates this body’s commitment to take the steps necessary to uphold VSEA’s values and to ensure the continued trust and confidence of our rank-and-file membership as we move forward together. The VSEA Board remains committed to promoting the values of this great union and to continuing to move the VSEA membership in a direction that builds power and promotes growth.
