§ 1725. Collective bargaining procedure

[Subsection (a) effective until January 1, 2020; see also subsection (a) effective January 1, 2020.]

(a) For the purpose of collective bargaining, the representatives of the municipal employer and the bargaining unit shall meet at any reasonable time and shall bargain in good faith with respect to wages, hours, and conditions of employment, and shall execute a written contract incorporating any agreement reached; provided, however, neither party shall be compelled to agree to a proposal nor to make a concession, nor to bargain over any issue of managerial prerogative.

[Subsection (a) effective January 1, 2020; see also subsection (a) effective until January 1, 2020.]

(a)(1) For the purpose of collective bargaining, the representatives of the municipal employer and the bargaining unit shall meet at any reasonable time and shall bargain in good faith with respect to wages, hours, and conditions of employment and shall execute a written contract incorporating any agreement reached; provided, however, that neither party shall be compelled to agree to a proposal nor to make a concession, nor to bargain over any issue of managerial prerogative.

(2)(A) For the purpose of collective bargaining related to municipal school employees, "wages, hours, and conditions of employment" shall not include health care benefits or coverage other than stand-alone vision and dental benefits. Health care benefits and coverage, excluding stand-alone vision and dental benefits but including health reimbursement arrangements and health savings accounts, shall not be subject to collective bargaining by municipal school employees pursuant to this chapter, but shall be determined pursuant to 16 V.S.A. chapter 61.

(B) All written contracts executed in relation to municipal school employees shall incorporate by reference the terms of the agreement entered into pursuant to 16 V.S.A. chapter 61.

(b) The municipal employer shall be represented in the bargaining by its legislative body or its designated representative or representatives. If the municipal employer is a supervisory district or supervisory union, it shall be represented by the school board negotiations council, and the bargaining unit shall be represented by the school employees' negotiations council.

(c) In the event that any part or provision of a collective bargaining agreement is in conflict with any State law, charter, or special act, such law shall prevail so long as the conflict remains except as provided to the contrary in subsection 1734(b) of this title. In the event any part or provision of a collective bargaining agreement is in conflict with any ordinance, bylaw, rule, or regulation adopted by the municipal employer or its agents, the lawful vote of the legislative body approving the written agreement shall validate the collective bargaining agreement and shall supersede such ordinance, bylaw, rule, or regulation. (Added 1973, No. 111, § 1; amended 2007, No. 82, § 40; 2018, No. 11 (Sp. Sess.), § H.22, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.)