The head of Vermont’s second largest labor union was fired Wednesday afternoon, according to several people close to the matter.
By a vote of 10-6, the Vermont State Employees Association’s board of trustees terminated the employment of executive director Mark Mitchell, who has ruffled feathers at the organization since joining it in December 2011. The vote came at the end of a day-long meeting Wednesday, much of which was conducted in executive session.
Union spokesman Doug Gibson said he would not comment on a “confidential personnel matter,” but said, “I can confirm he’s no longer employed at the VSEA.”
Board of trustees president John Reese was more forthcoming, saying, “There was a board vote to terminate the employment of Mr. Mitchell.”
An ally of Mitchell’s, Reese said he opposed the move.
“The board one minute learned some allegations and the next minute voted to get rid of the guy. There was no investigation outside of the allegations,” he said. “Based on the allegations that were made, it’s crazy, frankly. I think it’s entirely unfair and, at the end of the day, Mark will be vindicated.”
Reese declined to describe the allegations. Mitchell did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
As Seven Days reported last October, six of the union’s 19 staff members departed during a five-week period last fall. Four of those employees told Seven Days their departures were prompted at least in part by disagreements with Mitchell, who they said was causing irreparable harm to the organization.
The 5200-member union, which represents two-thirds of the state’s workforce, has since replenished its employee ranks.
According to Reese, no interim leader has been formally appointed by the board, which plans to meet again next Monday. However, VSEA general counsel Michael Casey has been informally tapped to head up day-to-day operations until the board takes further action.
Read more: Ousted Union Leader Defends Himself as Charges Fly
The original version of this story incorrectly reported the VSEA board of trustees vote total as 9-6. It was 10-6. Apologies for the error.
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I have been a VSEA member for seven years. I was ecstatic when Mark Mitchell came on board. I totally believe that he had our backs. He started to redefine the job that had become a lazy, and stagnant mess. I am happy to let you know that I will stand side by side with him, and work as hard for him as he has worked for me! I believe that this whole situation has come about because he was doing the work that we wanted him to do. The termination of an employee without representation is unacceptable. The Board of Trustees do not have final say. The membership who pay their salary have final say. This was exactly what Mark was trying to show membership. Make no mistake, I am 100% behind Mark and 100% against the Board on this issue.
Just to make sure you don’t misunderstand, I know that it’s the Board we vote for and the staff we pay. In the end, it is the membership that have the final word!
I have all confidence in Mark Mitchell and his ability to manage our union. I am a 15 yr state employee and I have never seen our union so involved with the membership (as it should be) than I have seen since Mark started. The members spoke loud and clear, we want our union to progress towards an organized union from a service union. We are not satisfied nor have we ever been with the VSEA staff developing and carrying more important relationships with administration than they do with the members they are suppose to represent. Mark understands how a union is suppose to function and cares about the members, not about creating opportunity for himself.
Mark Mitchell was the best thing to happen to VSEA in years! Mark brought his wealth of experience here to VSEA to help guide us from a stagnant ineffective union to one of action. In my seven years as a state employee nobody has ever fought as hard or as effectively for us as Mark Mitchell. The board of trustees has gone and done to him exactly what a labor union is suppose to fight against. They terminated him without due process and the right to defend yourself against accusations. Shame on the BOT! This is Not the way VSEA is suppose to act. Mark has worked tirelessly to strengthen the VSEA. For the first time since becoming involved with the union, I can say I am ashamed at the actions VSEA has taken. I truly am confident if the Board of trustees actually investigates these matter fully, and not just rely on the accusations of some disgruntled workers, Mark Mitchell’s termination will be reversed. I as well as many of my co-workers are behind Mark’s reinstatement. We ask the board to reconsider their haste and do the right thing for all of us and bring him back immediately.
I am appalled by the actions of the BOT of the VSEA to actually feel as though they have the right to take this director away from the members that pay the union dues. This man is a most valuable asset to the VSEA and actually cares about the members that he presides over. He is genuine and fights himself for the members that he feels are oppressed by management. How dare 16 people feel that they can speak for 5,200 VSEA members, especially with such a drastic decision. If I have anything to say about he will be vindicated and returned to his rightful position as Director of the VSEA.
VVH Majority
Voice:
From everything I’ve heard out there from my brothers and sisters, Mr. Mitchell and his supporters do not represent the wishes of the greater collective. Membership
feels bullied by the current administration and misrepresented, driving VVH
closer and closer to privatization. This is not the union we want; it’s the
union that a small whack pack, a drunken union president, and a Snake Oil Sales
Man turned Director wants. I think people should do a lot more digging on this
guy before they so blindly defend the smoke he’s been blowing. These are our
jobs, our lively hood, and our careers. For Mitchell it’s just another brief
stop off to play some more games while stuffing his coffers. People are not using their real names probably because they are scared of being in the retaliatory cross hairs like those before them who have tried to speak out. IT IS time for solidarity, IT IS time for everyone to speak up, SPEAK LOUD and get these crazies out of the driver seat before they take us off the cliff. Perhaps Mitchell’s real goal is not to
build us up but to bust us up? Divide and conquer. Certainly makes for easier
pickings for his buddies in the internationals.
Here, here!