UVM staff union demands wage steps and job protections before contract talks begin

Burlington residents who work for the University of Vermont will see their union launch formal contract negotiations next week. UVM Staff United gathered at the front entrance of Howe Library on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 11:40 a.m. to unify before their first bargaining session. The group plans to meet with university administrators regarding their 2026-2027 platform.

The union presented three main demands for the new contract. These include wage increases that keep pace with the cost of living, the maintenance of the current healthcare plan, and job security protections against artificial intelligence. Ellen Kaye, co-president of UVM Staff United and a cataloger at Howe Library, stated the rally was a way to build unity among members and supporters rather than a protest.

Healthcare costs remain a central concern for the group. Claire Whitehouse, co-president of UVM Staff United and a research project specialist, said the university is trying to shift more of the healthcare burden onto workers. The current plan, known as PPO 1, is provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont. Whitehouse noted that the university is self-insured, meaning it collects premiums and pays for healthcare directly. She said this plan is a major reason many employees choose to work at UVM.

The union objects to three new healthcare plans introduced in the 2025 employee benefits guide. These plans are currently available only to non-union employees. Whitehouse said the union has rejected these options in the past. She described the new plans as progressively worse, with employees paying more for coverage in each successive tier. The union expects to negotiate these specific plans during the upcoming sessions.

The group also seeks to establish guardrails to protect jobs from AI. Kaye said the union does not believe the university intends to replace tasks with AI, but they want to ensure that does not happen. Whitehouse said the union wants to understand how the university uses technology. She added that if the administration is not using AI in a harmful way, they should agree to the union's proposed articles.

Wage equity is the third pillar of the bargaining platform. The union aims to introduce a step scale system that raises wages based on years of service. This would be the third time the union has proposed such a system. Whitehouse pointed out that some employees with 40 years of experience earn only three cents more per hour than colleagues with three years of experience.

The university declined to comment on the active bargaining process in an Oct. 26 email to the Cynic. The next bargaining session is scheduled for Nov. 3 in the Waterman Memorial Lounge.

About 80 people held signs at the Tuesday rally with messages like 'healthcare = human right!' and 'fair discipline with due process.' After the gathering, the group moved to the ground floor of Howe Library to meet with administrators.