Contract deadline approaches for UVM medical center, workers

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - The union representing technical professionals at the University of Vermont Medical Center has only days to reach a deal over a new contract.

WCAX-TV reports officials with the Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals say there hasn’t been much progress since negotiations started in December.

The union wants pay for technical professionals to reach $15 an hour by the end of 2019, while medical center leaders say they want base pay to reach that number in 2020.

There are about 340 technical professionals at UVMMC, including paramedics, sleep technicians and respiratory therapists.

Both sides are hopeful they can reach a deal by Friday’s deadline. If no deal is reached, there will be a picket on March 7.