| RICHMOND, Va. – Collective bargaining champions Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell and House Majority Caucus Chair Kathy Tran joined public service workers at a Feb. 28 virtual press conference calling on Governor Glenn Youngkin to sign collective bargaining legislation into law. Senate Bill 917, patroned by Leader Surovell, and House Bill 2764, patroned by Caucus Chair Tran, would give teachers, home care workers, higher ed workers, firefighters, state employees and employees of local governments in every zip code the freedom to come together as a union to collectively bargain for a fair contract that would empower workers to deliver better services for Virginians.
This legislation passed by the General Assembly would build on the 2020 partial repeal of Virginia’s total ban on public sector collective bargaining, which resulted in tens of thousands of workers successfully organizing to gain collective bargaining rights in localities such as Richmond, Fairfax, Alexandria and Loudoun. The legislation would also set up a Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), critical state infrastructure that will support local governments in the process.
“Every government worker has a right to have a seat at the table, no matter where you live,” said Leader Surovell. “So we have a clear message to our governor: he needs to side with public service workers to make sure we have better public services for everybody. 68% of voters support this legislation, according to polling. Everything that you see says that in states that have collective bargaining, you have higher quality public services because people stay in their jobs longer, you have lower income inequality. You have people who are happy in their jobs. In a time where we have 20% vacancies in law enforcement, this is a way for us to get high quality government services.”
“Here in Virginia, we value the selfless hard work and dedication of our public sector employees,” said Caucus Chair Tran. “These are teachers, our home care workers, firefighters, police officers and state and local employees who work hard each and every day to provide essential services for all of us. We know that public sector collective bargaining will improve public services for all of us and build a family-first economy. Our workers know what they need to do their jobs better, how they can have safer working conditions and the opportunities to grow in their fields. So we’re calling on Governor Youngkin to stand with our public servants and expand collective bargaining in Virginia. It’s a critical time to demonstrate our allyship and support for our public sector employees. They really embody the values of public service.”
“We are so proud of the work that we do, but we shouldn’t have to choose between doing that work and feeding our children or paying our rent,” said Leah Esslinger of Charlottesville, representing the United Campus Workers of Virginia. “So we ask Governor Youngkin to recognize the role that public service workers play in strengthening our institutions and our communities. The work we provide as educators, librarians, health care workers, bus drivers and firefighters is crucial. We serve all Virginians. So if Governor Youngkin cares about all Virginians, he should give us a seat at the table, and we ask that he please sign this collective bargaining legislation into law.”
“Collective bargaining is not only about pay, it’s about ensuring we have what we need to best serve you,” said Kurt Detrick, a career firefighter in Portsmouth and president of IAFF Local 539. “I can remember a time a few years ago where our staffing shortage had gotten so bad that we had multiple fire units placed out of service. We had to take to social media to warn the public and our community that we were dangerously understaffed. This shortage was caused because the people that were making the staffing decisions are not the people on the front line. Public sector collective bargaining would ensure that all the experts in the field, including the workers themselves, will have a voice to ensure that we have the tools and resources we need to provide excellent public service to everyone.”
“Case workers, nurses, firefighters and home care workers deserve the right to come together to negotiate a fair contract no matter what zip code we live in. This bill will help ensure people aren’t left behind,” said home care worker Jeanne Robinson of Henrico County. “I’m so glad the home care workers are included in this legislation, and I’m proud that our legislators recognized our hard work and sacrifice by passing this bill. Governor Youngkin, Virginia has the opportunity to provide the best services from the best public service workers in the country. Your pen holds the power to sign this bill into law. Please do the right thing for me, my family, and my community.”
“Collective bargaining provides the ability to ensure educators receive planning time, but it also ensures that there’s planning time for special education teachers, instructional assistants and reading teachers,” said Carol Bauer of York County, a national board certified fourth grade teacher and the President of the Virginia Education Association. “Collective bargaining supports not only teachers, but everyone involved in public education. That’s our bus drivers, our cafeteria workers, nurses and clerical staff. Research shows that collective bargaining improves student test scores across income levels, and it also narrows the achievement gap for historically underserved groups, including our Black and Hispanic students. The entire community benefits from collective bargaining for public schools and public sector employees.”
A recording of the full event can be viewed HERE. |
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