The union elections this week follow a remarkably successful string of unionization efforts across Vermont’s health care sector in recent years, including at Porter, at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington and the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin.
AFT-Vermont now represents more than 12,000 workers in health care and higher education, according to Nicole DiVita, a certified ophthalmic technician at the University of Vermont Medical Center and AFT’s president for health care. The union’s rolls have roughly doubled in the last five to six years, she said, in part because of the enormous stress health care has been under since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rutland Regional Medical Center withdraws request to close pediatric beds
VTDigger, by Olivia Gieger
December 11th, 2025
Rutland hospital backtracks on closure of pediatric unit
WCAX, by WCAX News Team
December 11th, 2025
Last week, Techs and Support Staff who are organizing with AFT Vermont courageously testified before the Green Mountain Care Board on behalf of themselves, their families, their coworkers, and their community against management's unilateral decision to close the hospital's pediatric unit. After this and widespread community anger, management reversed its decision. | 
