Historic Virginia Collective Bargaining Law Gives Public Service Workers a Voice to Strengthen Their Communities

RICHMOND — AFSCME President Lee Saunders issued the following statement today after Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation granting collective bargaining rights to many public service workers:

"Tens of thousands of public service workers in Virginia will have the freedom to collectively bargain and speak up together to make Virginia's communities safer, healthier and stronger. When public service workers have a voice on the job, entire communities benefit. First responders and medical professionals can speak up for better training and equipment, and social workers can ensure that clients get the treatment and attention they need.

“We thank Delegate Elizabeth Guzman, one of AFSCME’s own, for her leadership in fighting for the respect Virginia’s public service workers deserve. But let me be clear: while this is a historic first step, we will be back next year to expand the same freedom to all public service workers – including state workers.”