Shumlin Administration, Vermont Troopers’ Association reach tentative agreement on new contract

The Shumlin Administration and Vermont Troopers’Association (VTA) announced today that the administration and the VTA have reached a tentative agreement on a new two year labor contract, subject to ratification by the VTA membership. The existing contract is scheduled to end on June 30 of this year.
The tentative agreement includes no across the board increase in existing salaries and continues existing step increases. The tentative agreement also increases some health insurance co-payment from $15.00 to $20.00 per visit.
In addition, the tentative agreement addresses a number of administrative issues of concerns to both the VTA and VSP, including:
à Payment for off-duty functions integral to the job on a biweekly basis, and not a lump sum.
à Revisions of work schedules for Narcotics Investigation and Executive Protection Unit staff.
à Clarification of compensation provisions for work-related phone calls during off-duty hours.
à Incorporation of existing practices related to injuries incurred in preparation for VSP Fitness Testing Program.
à Creation of two new special teams (Clandestine Laboratory and Drug Recognition Expert Team), with a Special Team Allowance of $400/year.
à Addition of Sergeants to the Shift Bidding provisions.
à Creation of a labor/management study of residency requirements for Bureau of Criminal Investigation officers.
Governor Peter Shumlin and VTA President Michael O’Neil expressed satisfaction with the tentative agreement, noting it reflected a balance between compensating troopers fairly and addressing budget constraints in a fiscally responsible manner.
The agreement follows a previously filed position reclassification requested by Vermont Troopers’Association, as provided for by State statute, which resulted in increased salaries for the VTA membership. The new contract itself does not result in significant new costs to the State, while the existing steps will cost approximately $800 thousand in FY14 and the reclassification will result in approximately $2 million in additional payroll costs. Some of these costs were planned for in the pay act and the remainder will be absorbed within existing budget parameters.
State of Vermont. 5.13.2013