Two national unions looking to organize Vermont home care workers under a new state law are squaring off in front of the state Labor Relations Board.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has already petitioned the board for the right to organize the estimated 7,000 workers who provide home-based personal care to elderly and disabled Vermonters.
But the Service Employees International Union is asking for more time to hold the initial election that will determine which of the two unions gets to represent the workers.
A new state law allows home care workers who are employed directly by their clients, and who are funded by Vermont Medicaid, to organize and bargain for better pay and benefits.
