BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Union members at the University of Vermont are taking a stand against what they call threats to data privacy and their health insurance.
Union members held a protest on Thursday to demand that the administration pause an audit aimed at checking whether dependents are eligible for insurance coverage.
Union officials say the audit requires employees to upload personal documents like birth and marriage certificates to a third-party firm that they say has a history of data breaches. They also say the administration has not provided answers about how that sensitive information will be secured or provided evidence of any insurance fraud.
They say the audit also comes amid ongoing concerns about the Trump administration’s efforts to gather data for immigration enforcement.
“In January, we asked the University to protect its workers and students, especially immigrants and trans people, in the face of federal attacks, and now they’re asking us for the very papers that could identify and endanger those people,” said Claire Whitehouse with UVM Staff United.
The unions want the ability to negotiate the terms of the audit, saying that more than 650 members have expressed concerns.
In a statement to WCAX, UVM officials said they approved the system after conducting a thorough review of it and that no eligible dependents will lose coverage. Officials are also recommending that employees redact their Social Security numbers from any documents they submit.
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