Legislation that would have granted collective bargaining freedoms to hundreds of thousands of state and local public service workers in Virginia was vetoed by the governor, but AFSCME members will keep fighting so that all state and local employees in Virginia have a voice on the job.
Through her veto, Gov. Abigail Spanberger has denied about 500,000 public service workers the ability to bargain for fair pay, safe working conditions and better public services for all Virginians. Currently, only local government workers whose municipality has passed an ordinance allowing for collective bargaining enjoy the freedom to negotiate with their employer. This bill would have extended that freedom to all local government employees, and the vast majority of state employees.
In response, AFSCME President Lee Saunders said Spanberger broke her promise to support union rights for public sector workers across Virginia.
“For too long, anti-worker extremists have sidelined working people while starving the public services Virginia families rely on, earning the state a reputation as one of the most anti-worker in the country. Governor Spanberger campaigned on the promise to end this historic injustice,” Saunders said in a statement.
“But she has broken that promise by vetoing legislation that would have finally granted most state and local workers the freedom to collectively bargain,” Saunders added. “The landmark collective bargaining legislation, passed by pro-worker champions in the General Assembly, would have empowered more than half a million public service workers with the freedom to negotiate and to strengthen the public services that communities across the commonwealth depend on.”
Saunders said AFSCME members will not stop fighting for Virginia’s public service workers.
“While the governor has broken her word, AFSCME members are deeply grateful to the bill’s sponsors, and the leadership of both chambers, who kept theirs,” Saunders said. “Their commitment to working people stands in stark contrast to the governor and will not be forgotten. Governor Spanberger made a choice today, and working people will remember it. AFSCME members will continue fighting to ensure every public service worker in Virginia has a real voice on the job. This fight is far from over.”