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Vermont

Vermont Labor Board Vacancies Persist

The state's labor relations board has struggled to maintain a full roster of members since late 2024.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Unions

Isometric editorial illustration of a conference table with chairs, two of which are pulled away to signify vacancies.
The Vermont Labor Relations Board faces continued operational challenges as two of its six seats remain vacant, despite recent gubernatorial appointments. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the government prioritize filling vacant board seats to ensure public services function efficiently?

The Vermont Labor Relations Board currently reports two vacancies among its six total seats. Governor Phil Scott recently appointed Linda Joy Sullivan to the board, with her term taking effect on September 1, 2026.

Why it matters

State law requires the governor to fill vacancies within 60 days, and the board needs at least three members to maintain a quorum for its oversight duties. Difficulties in the recruitment process have contributed to the prolonged absence of a full board.

The board received 62 cases in 2025 compared to 48 in 2024, while holding only three hearing days in 2025 against a ten-year average of 14 days. Board members are compensated at a rate of $125 per day.

The players

Phil Scott

He is the Governor of Vermont and is responsible for appointing members to the state's labor board.

Linda Joy Sullivan

She is the recently appointed member of the Vermont Labor Relations Board.

Vermont Labor Relations Board

This is the state entity responsible for overseeing labor disputes and employee policy compliance.

The details

The governor fills these positions based on recommendations from the Labor Board Review Panel. The board manages cases by assigning a three-person panel consisting of one labor representative, one management representative, and one neutral member.

Timeline

  1. The board last held six full members at the end of 2024.

  2. The board received 62 cases and held three hearing days throughout 2025.

  3. The current vacancy opened in June 2026.

  4. Linda Joy Sullivan's appointment took effect on September 1, 2026.

  5. The governor's office expects to fill the final vacancy by September 25, 2026.

Political Context

Opposing advocacy groups and dissenting officials have frequently highlighted the board's inability to meet the statutory 60-day deadline for filling board vacancies. Critics argue that these delays undermine the board's operational capacity and create uncertainty for labor relations across the state.

The persistent vacancies limit the board's ability to process labor disputes and legal filings efficiently. Residents and state employees may experience longer wait times for case resolutions until the board returns to full capacity.

The takeaway

Maintaining a fully staffed labor board is essential for the timely resolution of employment disputes within the state. Strengthening the recruitment pipeline remains a priority to ensure the board can meet its statutory requirements and handle increasing case volumes.

What happens next

The governor's office expects to appoint a final member to the board by September 25, 2026. Additionally, the Vermont Supreme Court is expected to release a decision soon regarding the board's order on state employee return-to-work mandates.

Further reading

For more information on the impact of labor oversight in the state, visit Vermont Unions.

Live Poll

Should the government prioritize filling vacant board seats to ensure public services function efficiently?