Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced this week he would veto H.B. 2764, legislation that would greatly expand collective bargaining rights for public employees across the commonwealth.
The news comes after the Republican governor announced he had vetoed more than 150 pieces of legislation sent to him by the Virginia General Assembly during its session.
“The IAFF doesn’t have permanent friends; we don’t have permanent enemies. We have permanent interests. And ensuring our members have a seat at the negotiating table – no matter what state they live in – is a critical part of our mission to improve the safety and well-being of America’s fire fighters,” said General President Edward Kelly. “The General Assembly knows the value of fire fighters having a say in their working conditions, staffing, pay, and benefits. Shame on the Governor for not seeing the value in that.”
Had they been signed, H.B. 2764 – and its companion in the Virginia Senate, S.B. 917 – would have expanded collective bargaining rights to more than a half million employees. The bills would require public employers and employee organizations to negotiate in good faith on important workplace issues.
The General Assembly knows the value of fire fighters having a say in their working conditions, staffing, pay, and benefits. Shame on the Governor for not seeing the value in that.
General President Edward Kelly
They would also have established a Virginia “Public Employee Relations Board” to recognize bargaining units and would repeal a provision in the commonwealth’s laws that guarantees secret ballots for union votes.
Robert Bragg, President of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (VPFF), blasted the Governor following the veto.
“Collective bargaining is the best way to ensure fire departments are staffed and fire fighters are properly trained and safe on the job. By vetoing this commonsense bill, the Governor is putting his politics over the safety of Virginia communities,” said Bragg. “He’s failed every professional fire fighter and worker in Virginia with this decision, and the VPFF looks forward to an election for a new Governor this fall.”
Despite “Old Dominion’s” historically hostile attitude toward organized labor, fire fighters have been making major gains on collective bargaining rights across the commonwealth during recent years.
In 2021, a new law allowing municipalities across Virginia to enter into collective bargaining agreements went into effect, widely expanding the opportunities for fire fighters to gain a seat at the table. Since then, IAFF Locals in Prince William County (Local 2598), Alexandria (Local 2141), Arlington County (Local 2800), Fairfax County (Local 2068), and others have all signed collectively negotiated contracts with their employers.
Collective bargaining is the best way to ensure fire departments are staffed and fire fighters are properly trained and safe on the job. By vetoing this commonsense bill, the Governor is putting his politics over the safety of Virginia communities.
Virginia professional fire fighters President RObert Bragg
While Youngkin’s veto is a blow to fire fighters and other public workers across the commonwealth, it won’t stop IAFF members from continuing to push for state-wide collective bargaining rights.
“I was always taught that when you get knocked down, you get back up and keep fighting,” said Kelly. “The IAFF will continue working to ensure members across Virginia have collective bargaining rights.”
