AFSCME’s Saunders: Gov. Spanberger has broken the promise she made to Virginia
Spanberger vetoes collective bargaining legislation that would have given half a million public service workers a strong voice to fight for fair pay, safe working conditions and better public services for all Virginians.
WASHINGTON— AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed Senate Bill 378 and House Bill 1263, legislation that would have granted collective bargaining freedoms to state government employees and enhanced bargaining rights for employees of local governments in 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. But she has broken that promise by vetoing legislation that would have finally granted most state and local workers the freedom to collectively bargain. 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.
“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. 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.”
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AFSCME's 1.4 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in communities across the nation, serving in hundreds of different occupations — from nurses to corrections officers, child care providers to sanitation workers — AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and freedom and opportunity for all working families