Upcoming Events/Solidarity Actions

Stand in Solidarity with AFT Vermont members at Community Health Centers: Petition for Safe Staffing for Medical Assistants and Nurses at CHC
Management has taken Per Diem Medical Assistants off of all shifts (except Saturdays) leaving MAs understaffed!

 

No Kings Day 3
Saturday, March 28th, 2026
Click here for a list of events around Vermont
If your local is organizing a group, please take a photo with your local’s banner and send it to us!

AFT Vermont Locals in Action!

Last Friday, Sophia Simkins, primary care nurse and VP of Political Education for VFNHP, testified about the dangers of unregulated AI use in Healthcare before the House Health Care committee.

“AI is entering healthcare rapidly with little input from direct care providers or, more importantly, from our patients. For example, UVMMC is working on implementing an AI remote patient monitoring program that is relatively untested… It raises questions about who is held responsible when a patient is harmed. There has not been adequate safety research to show that this is equivalent to standard practice.”

Sophia also advocated for adding a RN to the already established Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council.

“Nurses are in a unique position to advise on the risks and benefits of proposed implementation of AI as we directly provide the patient care and are able to evaluate the risks and benefits.”

You can watch Sophia’s full testimony here.

Healthcare News

Capitol Recap: Lawmakers grapple with private equity in Vermont’s health care system
Vermont Public, by Lola Duffort
February 27th, 2026

2025 was a much better year for BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont
VTDigger, by Olivia Gieger
March 2nd, 2026

BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont reports surplus, says it’s on a 'path to financial recovery'
Vermont Public, by Lola Duffort
March 2nd, 2026 

Blue Cross of Vermont Rebounds After Near Collapse
Seven Days, by Hannah Bassett
March 2nd, 2026

Other Union News

Health insurance, inflation and federal funding cuts: Here's what's driving school budget increases this year
VTDigger, by Corey McDonald
February 26th, 2026 

Voters approve a majority of Town Meeting Day school budgets
VTDigger, by Corey McDonald
March 4th, 2026

AFT Vermont: Vermont's union of healthcare & higher education professionals.

96 Colchester Ave
Burlington, VT 05401

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