Press Releases
With Teamsters Support, Vermont PRO Act Becomes Law
Legislation Makes it Easier to Organize and Protects Workers’ Free Speech
Press Contact: Matt McQuaid Phone: (202) 624-6877 Email: mmcquaid@teamster.org
(MONTPELIER, Vt.) – Following a public pressure campaign spearheaded by Teamsters Local 597, the Vermont PRO Act (S. 102) has become law of the land in Vermont. The legislation will make it easier for both private and public sector workers to unionize by beginning the process of expanding the right to form a union to historically marginalized workers, protecting employees from anti-union captive audience meetings, and simplifying union elections in the public sector through majority sign-up.
“The Vermont PRO Act includes several key provisions that will make meaningful and much-needed changes for workers. This legislation dismantles anti-worker barriers to unionization and puts power back into the hands of working people,” said Tony St. Hilaire, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 597.
“We are grateful to State Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale for sponsoring this bill, to all the state legislators that voted in favor of the bill, and to Governor Scott for allowing it to become law,” said Curtis Clough, President of Local 597. “Over the course of the last two years, Teamsters worked tirelessly with our allies in the PRO Act Coalition to get this legislation across the finish line. We are thrilled that this legislation has become law and that Vermont workers have even stronger protections.”
The bill received strong bipartisan support in the state legislature before heading to the governor’s desk.
“Teamsters Local 597 made passing the Vermont PRO Act their mission and now all workers in the state will benefit from the law,” said Tom Mari, Secretary-Treasurer of Joint Council 10 in New England. “Standing up for workers is what being a Teamster is all about. The Vermont PRO Act will level the playing field for workers and protect them from anti-union propaganda in their workplace.”
Chartered in 1939, Teamsters Local 597 represents over 900 workers in such diverse trades such as package delivery, freight, dairy processing, public transit and school bus services, building material and wire and cable manufacturing, police services and municipal highway maintenance. For more information, visit teamsterslocal597.net.