Senator Milton E. Potter is proud to announce the introduction of Bill 35-307, a transformative piece of legislation aimed at empowering nearly 9,000 active government employees across the Virgin Islands by granting them the right to directly elect their representatives to the Government Employees’ Retirement System (GERS) Board of Trustees. This bill represents a significant step toward ensuring greater transparency, fairness and accountability in the governance of GERS, which serves as the backbone of retirement security for government workers.
Currently, the Central Labor Council nominates representatives on behalf of unionized employees in both districts.
However, this process does not allow the broader base of active employees to have a direct voice in selecting who represents their interests. Bill 35-307 seeks to change this by enabling all active employees within GERS—those still working in government service—to elect their representatives directly, in a manner similar to the current democratic election process.
Furthermore, the bill strengthens the GERS Board by ensuring that all voting members meet the same minimum qualifications required to serve on the Board. This provision is designed to enhance the board’s effectiveness in managing the retirement system and protecting the interests of the entire GERS membership.
“With the passage of Bill 35-307, we are empowering active government employees by putting them on par with the retirees with respect to their representation on the GERS Board,” said Senator Potter. “No longer will this vital decision-making process be in the hands of a select few; instead, the power will rest in the hands of the employees themselves.
This is about giving all active employees a voice in shaping the future of their retirement security.”
Key Features of Bill 35-307:
- Direct Election of Representatives: Nearly 9,000 active government employees will have the right to directly elect their representatives to the GERS Board of Trustees.
- Uniform Qualifications: All voting members of the Board must meet the same minimum qualifications to ensure consistent expertise and accountability in overseeing GERS.
- Inclusion: The bill fosters a more inclusive process, empowering all active members of the GERS to have a direct say as to who are the decision-makers at the highest level at the GERS.
Sen. Potter encourages all government employees to stay informed and engaged as Bill 35-307 moves through the legislative process. “This bill is a critical opportunity to enhance democratic participation and ensure that the GERS Board of Trustees is truly representative of the employees it serves,” Potter added. “You now have a voice — let’s make it heard.”
Senator Milton E. Potter
Member of the 35th Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands
