Vermont PCAs Vote for Unionization

More than 70 percent of independent personal care attendants (PCAs) in Vermont have voted in favor of unionization.

The results of the vote, announced on October 3, showed that 1,412 PCAs supported union representation, compared with just 566 voting against it.

Vermont PCAs will be represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

The vote comes just months after Governor Peter Shumlin (D) signed a bill allowing PCAs to unionize. Shumlin congratulated the newly unionized PCAs for their organizing efforts.

“It makes the hard work worthwhile,” said PCA Janelle Blake in a statement published by AFSCME. “Now we can [build] our union and get our contract.”

The vote for unionization was the “largest union vote and organizing win in the state’s history,” AFSCME said.

— by Matthew Ozga