Local governments dodge union bullet

It's March 18. Local officials are relieved the governor vetoed bills that could have forced union bargaining. W-JCC school board to vote on budget that includes lacrosse, JROTC programs.

Gov. Spanberger speaking to Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce last year. (photo by Rob Ostermaier, Consociate Media)

Local government officials dodged a bullet on forced unionization of their employees -- something they warned could raise property taxes significantly.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed two bills Friday that would have allowed a new state board to impose union negotiations on local governments and school boards.

Spanberger, a Democrat, vetoed the house and senate bills establishing the Public Employees Relations Board after the Democratic-led General Assembly turned down her requests to delay implementation until 2028.

The legislature turned down her proposed amendments to start with a program affecting only state employees before expanding to local governments.

“Public servants should have the same right to collectively bargain that Virginia's private sector workers have,” Spanberger said in her veto message.

Estimates of what it would cost local taxpayers to unionize local employees had ranged from an additional 15-20 cents on real estate tax rates in York County to as high as 24 cents in James City County.

Local governments said unionizing government employees would not only lead to higher salary demands but would add cost and complexity for staff and legal help to handle negotiations, grievances, strikes and potential litigation.

“But the real issue, aside from tax dollars, is the loss of employer to staff good faith negotiations and discussion,” York Chair Douglas R. Holroyd told us. “Removing this from local governance was just plain wrong. “

“James City has worked hard to ensure fair compensation and benefits” of its employees, we were told by Vice Chair Ruth Larson, who has been a vocal opponent of the move.

Larson said she was sure the issue will come up again, adding “I hope the next time around that the General Assembly will be open to work with and hear from localities on how best to lessen the tremendous fiscal impact to local government and taxpayers.”

The area’s two recently elected Democratic Delegates both supported unionization of local employees.

Dean Lynch , executive director of The Virginia Association of Counties, thanked the governor for vetoing HB 1263 and SB 378.

VACo Executive Director praised the Governor’s leadership and willingness to respond to the significant concerns raised by counties throughout Virginia.

“More than 70 percent of Virginia counties took formal public positions opposing these bills, reflecting broad bipartisan concern about preserving local decision-making authority, protecting fiscal flexibility, and ensuring counties can continue meeting the service needs of their communities,” Lynch said.

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