Vermont’s deputy sheriffs have voted to be represented by the Vermont State Employees’ Association some four months after earning the right to collectively bargain, the union announced on Monday.
The 16-1 vote followed Gov. Phil Scott signing Act 125 into law in May, according to a press release from the union. The law affords state-paid deputy sheriffs the right to collectively bargain on a statewide basis under the State Employee Labor Relations Act.
The Vermont State Employees’ Association began the campaign to represent the deputy sheriffs in 2012, according to the release.
“It has taken a decade, but VSEA is pleased to finally welcome this group of state employees and be able to now begin working with them to secure a first contract that rewards the great service these men and women provide to Vermont every day,” union President Aimee Towne said.
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Oliver thanked the union for the work it did in order to bring the two groups together.
“We are looking forward to continuing the relationship while working towards a contract,” he said in the release.
Twenty deputy sheriffs will be represented by the union, according to the press release.
