reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
3 V.S.A. § 924
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 924. Powers and duties

§ 924. Powers and duties|(a) [Repealed.](b) In all proceedings under this chapter, no evidence shall be admitted or considered that relates to conduct or statements made in compromise negotiations, including mediation, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. This subsection does not require exclusion of evidence otherwise obtainable from independent sources because it was presented in the course of compromise negotiations nor does it require exclusion of evidence offered for another purpose, such as proving bias or prejudice of a witness, negating a contention of undue delay, or proving an effort to obstruct an investigation.(c) Until a transcript of the record in a case is filed in a court under this chapter, the Board at any time upon reasonable notice and in such manner as it considers proper may modify or set aside wholly or partially a finding made or order issued by it.(d) The Board may appoint a mediator to assist in resolving differences.(e) In addition to its responsibilities under this chapter, the Board shall carry out the responsibilities given to it under 21 V.S.A. chapters 19 and 22 and chapter 28 of this title and when so doing shall exercise the powers and follow the procedures set out in that chapter.(f) The Board may cooperate with other agencies, either of the United States or of another state, in all matters concerning the powers and duties of the Board under this chapter and particularly in relation to agreements providing for the ceding to the Board by the National Labor Relations Board of jurisdiction over cases in any industry predominantly local in character. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1; amended 1975, No. 152 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1997, No. 92 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2005, No. 194 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2011, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 51, eff. May 14, 2012.)
3 V.S.A. § 927
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 927. Appropriate unit

§ 927. Appropriate unit|(a) The Board shall decide the unit appropriate for the purpose of collective bargaining in each case and those employees to be included therein, in order to assure the employees the fullest freedom in exercising the rights guaranteed by this chapter.(b) In determining whether a unit is appropriate under subsection (a) of this section, the extent to which the employees have organized is not controlling.(c) The Board may decline recognition to any group of employees as a collective bargaining unit if, upon investigation and hearing, it is satisfied that the employees will not constitute an appropriate unit for purposes of collective bargaining or if recognition will result in over-fragmentation of state employee collective bargaining units. In case such a determination is made, the provisions of subchapter 3 of this chapter shall not become operative in that instance. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1.)
3 V.S.A. § 928
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 928. Rules

§ 928. Rules|(a) The Board, as necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, shall adopt and may amend and rescind rules consistent with this chapter.(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, rules adopted by the Board as they relate to grievance appeals shall provide:  (1) If a collective bargaining agreement provides that an appeal to the Board will constitute the final step in the grievance procedure, all employees and other persons authorized by this chapter shall have the right to appeal to the Board in accordance with the rules of the Board. (2) That a reasonable notice be given to the State agency or officer, and State employee, and the representative concerned and to the Commissioner of Human Resources. (3) That all hearings of the Board shall be public and, unless both parties concerned request that it be formal, hearings shall be informal and not subject to the rules of pleadings, procedure, and evidence of the courts of the State. (4) That all parties in interest to any appeal shall be entitled to be heard on any matter at issue. (5) That in appeals from the decisions of the Department of Human Resources or any State agency or officer, the State agency and officer and the State employee shall be parties in interest, and the Commissioner of Human Resources or the collective bargaining representative on motion, may intervene as a party in interest. (6) That the parties at interest shall have the right to present witnesses, give evidence, and examine witnesses before the Board. (7)(A)(i) That the name of any grievant whom the Board exonerates of misconduct for which he or she was disciplined shall be redacted from the version of the Board's decision that is posted on the Board's website.   (ii) Nothing in this subdivision (7)(A) shall be construed to require the Board to redact the name of the grievant from any other version of the Board's decision or from any other documents related to the grievance.  (B) Nothing in this subdivision (7) shall be construed to modify an individual's right to privacy pursuant to any law, rule, or policy. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1; amended 1977, No. 109, § 8, eff. July 3, 1977; 1987, No. 243 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. June 13, 1988; 2003, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 15; 2015, No. 35, § 3, eff. May 26, 2015; 2015, No. 101 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2017, No. 74, § 3.)
3 V.S.A. § 929
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 929. Records to be public

§ 929. Records to be public|All findings, conclusions, and determinations of the Board and the records of all hearings and other proceedings, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be public records. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1.)
3 V.S.A. § 942
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 942. Election conduct

§ 942. Election conduct|Any interested person may file with the Board a charge that employees eligible to vote in an election under this chapter have been coerced or restrained in the exercise of this right. The Board shall investigate and conduct hearings into the validity of the charge. If, upon the basis of its findings, the Board concludes that employees eligible to vote in the election were so coerced or restrained, the Board may set aside such election and order another election under the provisions of this subchapter. No election shall be set aside unless the Board finds such coercion or restraint. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1.)
3 V.S.A. § 961
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 961. Employers

§ 961. Employers|It shall be an unfair labor practice for an employer:  (1) to interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of their rights guaranteed by section 903 of this title, or by any other law, rule, or regulation; (2) to dominate or interfere with the formation or administration of any employee organization or contribute financial or other support to it; provided that an employer shall not be prohibited from permitting employees to confer with the employer during working hours without loss of time or pay; (3) by discrimination in regard to hire and tenure of employment or any term or condition of employment to encourage or discourage membership in any employee organization; (4) to discharge or otherwise discriminate against an employee because the employee has filed charges or complaints or given testimony under this chapter; (5) to refuse to bargain collectively with representatives of the employees subject to the provisions of subchapter 3 of this chapter; (6) to discriminate against an employee on account of race, color, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin; (7) to request or require an applicant, prospective employee or employee to have an HIV-related blood test as a condition of employment; (8) to discriminate against an applicant, prospective employee or employee on the basis of a person's having a positive test result from an HIV-related blood test. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1; amended 1987, No. 176 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1991, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1999, No. 19, § 1; 2007, No. 41, § 2.)
3 V.S.A. § 963
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 963. Membership; employees' rights

§ 963. Membership; employees' rights|An employee organization entering into an agreement shall not:  (1) discriminate against a person seeking or holding membership therein on account of race, color, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin; (2) penalize a member for exercising a right guaranteed by the Constitution or laws of the United States or the State of Vermont; (3) cause or attempt to cause the discharge from employment of employees who refuse membership therein because of religious beliefs. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1; amended 1991 No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 1999, No. 19, § 2; 2007, No. 41, § 3.)
3 V.S.A. § 964
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 964. Business and products of other employers

§ 964. Business and products of other employers|It shall be an unfair labor practice for any employee organization and any employer to enter into any contract or agreement, express or implied, whereby the employer ceases or refrains or agrees to cease or refrain from handling, using, selling, transporting, or otherwise dealing in any of the products of any other person, or to cease doing business with any other person, and any contract or agreement entered into before or after enactment of this chapter containing such an agreement shall be to that extent unenforceable and void. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1.)
3 V.S.A. § 966
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 966. Freedom of expression

§ 966. Freedom of expression|The expressing of any views, argument or opinion, or the dissemination thereof, whether in written, printed, graphic, oral or visual form, shall not constitute or be evidence of an unfair labor practice under this chapter, if such expression contains no threat of reprisal or force or promise of benefit. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1.)
3 V.S.A. § 971
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 971. Intent of subchapter

§ 971. Intent of subchapter|A State employee, as a trustee and servant of the people, shall be free to report, in good faith and with candor, waste, fraud, abuse of authority, violations of law, or a threat to the health of employees, the public, or persons under the care of the State without fear of reprisal, intimidation, or retaliation. (Added 2007, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 13, 2008.)
3 V.S.A. § 972
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 972. Definitions

§ 972. Definitions|As used in this subchapter:  (1) "Department head" means a secretary of an agency, commissioner of a department, director of an office, or any other appointing authority in charge of an agency of State government. (2) "Illegal order" means a directive to violate, or to assist in violating, a federal, State, or local law. (3) "Public body" means:  (A) a department head or employee specifically designated or assigned to receive a complaint that constitutes protected activity under this chapter; (B) a board or commission of State government; (C) the Vermont State Auditor; (D) a State or federal agency that oversees the activities of a State agency; (E) a law enforcement officer as defined in 20 V.S.A. § 2358(d)(1); (F) a federal or State court, grand jury, petit jury, law enforcement agency, or prosecutorial office; (G) the General Assembly or the U.S. Congress; or (H) an officer or employee of an entity listed in this subdivision (3) when acting within the scope of his or her duties.  (4) "Retaliatory action" includes any adverse performance or disciplinary action, including discharge, suspension, reprimand, demotion, denial of promotion, imposition of a performance warning period, or involuntary transfer or reassignment that is given in retaliation for the State employee's involvement in a protected activity, as set forth in section 973 of this title. (5) "State employee" means an individual employed on a permanent or limited status basis by the State of Vermont. (Added 2007, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 13, 2008; amended 2013, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. July 1, 2015.)
3 V.S.A. § 973
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 973. Protected activity

§ 973. Protected activity|(a) A State agency, department, appointing authority, official, or employee shall not engage in retaliatory action against a State employee because the State employee refuses to comply with an illegal order or engages in any of the following:  (1) Providing to a public body a good faith report or good faith testimony that alleges an entity of State government, a State employee or official, or a person providing services to the State under contract has engaged in a violation of law or in waste, fraud, abuse of authority, or a threat to the health of employees, the public, or persons under the care of the State. (2) Assisting or participating in a proceeding to enforce the provisions of this subchapter.   (b) No State agency, department, appointing authority, official, or employee shall attempt to restrict or interfere with, in any manner, a State employee's ability to engage in any of the protected activity described in subsection (a) of this section.(c) No State agency, department, appointing authority, or manager shall require any State employee to discuss or disclose his or her testimony, or intended testimony, prior to an employee's appearance to testify before the general assembly if he or she is not testifying on behalf of an entity of State government.(d) No employee may divulge information that is confidential under State or federal law. An act by which an employee divulges such information shall not be considered protected activity under this section.(e) In order to establish a claim of retaliation based upon the refusal to follow an illegal order, the employee shall assert at the time of the refusal his or her good faith and reasonable belief that the order is illegal. (Added 2007, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 13, 2008.)
3 V.S.A. § 974
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 974. Communication with General Assembly

§ 974. Communication with General Assembly|(a) No entity of State government may prohibit a State employee from engaging in discussion with a member of the General Assembly or from testifying before a legislative committee; provided, however, that an employee may not divulge confidential information, and an employee shall be clear that he or she is not speaking on behalf of an entity of State government.(b) No State employee shall be subject to discipline, discharge, discrimination, or other adverse employment action as a result of the employee providing information to a legislator or legislative committee; provided, however, that the employee does not divulge confidential information, and that the employee is clear that he or she is not speaking on behalf of any entity of State government. The protections set forth in this subchapter shall not apply to statements that constitute hate speech or threats of violence against a person.(c) In the event that an appearance before a Committee of the General Assembly will cause an employee to miss work, he or she shall request to be absent from work and shall provide as much notice as is reasonably possible. The request shall be granted unless there is good cause to deny the request. If a request is denied, the decision and reasons for the denial shall be in writing and shall be provided to the employee in advance of the scheduled appearance. The protections set forth in this section are subject to the efficient operation of State government, which shall prevail in any instance of conflict. (Added 2007, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 13, 2008.)
3 V.S.A. § 975
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 975. Enforcement and preemption

§ 975. Enforcement and preemption|(a) Nothing in this subchapter shall be deemed to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of a State employee under other federal or State law or under any collective bargaining agreement or employment contract, except the limitation on multiple actions as set forth in this section.(b) A State employee who files a claim of retaliation for protected activity with the Vermont Labor Relations Board or through binding arbitration under a grievance procedure or similar process available to the employee may not bring such a claim in Superior Court.(c) A State employee who files a claim under this subchapter in Superior Court may not bring a claim of retaliation for protected activity under a grievance procedure or similar process available to the employee. (Added 2007, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 13, 2008; amended 2015, No. 35, § 5, eff. May 26, 2015.)
3 V.S.A. § 976
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 976. Remedies

§ 976. Remedies|A State employee who brings a claim in Superior Court may be awarded the following remedies:  (1) reinstatement of the employee to the same position, seniority, and work location held prior to the retaliatory action; (2) back pay, lost wages, benefits, and other remuneration; (3) in the event of a showing of a willful, intentional, and egregious violation of this subchapter, an amount up to the amount of back pay in addition to the actual back pay; (4) other compensatory damages; (5) interest on back pay; (6) appropriate injunctive relief; and (7) reasonable costs and attorney's fees. (Added 2007, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 13, 2008.)
3 V.S.A. § 977
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 977. Posting

§ 977. Posting|Every State agency and department shall distribute a copy of this law by August 1, 2008, and shall post and display notices of State employee protection under this subchapter in a prominent and accessible location in the workplace. (Added 2007, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 13, 2008.)
3 V.S.A. § 978
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 978. Limitations of actions

§ 978. Limitations of actions|An action alleging a violation of this subchapter brought under a grievance procedure or similar process shall be brought within the period allowed by that process or procedure. An action brought in Superior Court shall be brought within 180 days of the date of the alleged retaliatory action. (Added 2007, No. 128 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 13, 2008.)
3 V.S.A. § 981
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 981. Good faith; failure to agree

§ 981. Good faith; failure to agree|For the purpose of this chapter to bargain collectively is the performance of the mutual obligation of the employer and the representative of the employees to meet at reasonable times and confer in good faith with respect to all matters bargainable under the provisions of this chapter; but the failure or refusal of either party to agree to a proposal, or to change or withdraw a lawful proposal, or to make a concession shall not constitute, or be evidence direct or indirect, of a breach of this obligation. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1.)
3 V.S.A. § 1001
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 1001. Grievances; applicants and excluded personnel

§ 1001. Grievances; applicants and excluded personnel|(a) Persons who are applicants for State employment in the classified service and classified employees in their initial probationary period and any extension or extensions thereof may appeal to the State Labor Relations Board if they believe themselves discriminated against on account of their race, color, creed, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin.(b) Permanent classified employees excluded from bargaining units shall be deemed to have the right of appeal in the same manner and to the same extent as those employees represented by a bargaining representative except that they may not be represented by a bargaining representative.(c) Any dispute concerning the amount of a collective bargaining service fee may be grieved as set forth in the collective bargaining agreement through either an appeal to the Vermont Labor Relations Board in accordance with the Board's rules concerning grievances, or through binding arbitration. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1; amended 1971, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. April 3, 1972; 1991, No. 135 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1993, No. 227 (Adj. Sess.), § 32; 1999, No. 19, § 3; 2007, No. 41, § 4; 2015, No. 35, § 6, eff. May 26, 2015.)
3 V.S.A. § 1002
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 1002. Enforcement

§ 1002. Enforcement|(a) Orders of the Board or an arbitrator issued under this chapter may be enforced by any party or by the Board by filing a petition with the Superior Court in Washington County or the Superior Court in the county in which the action before the Board originated. The petition shall be served on the adverse party as provided for service of process under the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure. If, after hearing, the Court determines that the Board or arbitrator had jurisdiction over the matter and that a timely appeal was not filed, or that an appeal was timely filed and a stay of the Board or arbitrator's order or any part of it was not granted, or that a Board order was affirmed on appeal in pertinent part by the Supreme Court or that an arbitrator's order was affirmed on appeal in pertinent part by the Superior Court, the Court shall incorporate the order of the Board or arbitrator as a judgment of the Court. There is no appeal from that judgment except that a judgment reversing a decision by the Board or an arbitrator on jurisdiction may be appealed to the Supreme Court.(b) Upon filing of a petition by a party or the Board, the Court may grant such temporary relief, including a restraining order, as it deems proper pending formal hearing.(c) Orders and decisions of the Board shall apply only to the particular case under appeal, but any number of appeals presenting similar issues may be consolidated for hearing with the consent of the Board. Any number of employees who are aggrieved by the same action of the employer may join in an appeal with the consent of the Board. The Board shall not modify, add to, or detract from a collective bargaining agreement or the merit system principles by any order or decision. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1; amended 1971, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 29, 1972; 1971, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. April 3, 1972; 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974; 1987, No. 196 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. May 13, 1988; 1989, No. 25, § 1; 2015, No. 35, § 7, eff. May 26, 2015.)
3 V.S.A. § 1003
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 3 - Executive|Chapter 27 - State Employees Labor Relations Act|§ 1003. Judicial review; stay pending appeal

§ 1003. Judicial review; stay pending appeal|(a) Any person aggrieved by an order or decision of the Board issued under the authority of this chapter may appeal on questions of law to the Supreme Court.(b) An order of the Board shall not automatically be stayed pending appeal. A stay must first be requested from the Board. The Board may stay the order or any part of it. If the Board denies a stay, then a stay may be requested from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court or a single justice may stay the order or any part of it and may order additional interim relief. (Added 1969, No. 113, § 1; amended 1971, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 29, 1972; 1971, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 15, eff. April 3, 1972; 1987, No. 196 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 13, 1988.)