NNDCC Resolutions

WHEREAS, HB 1263 and SB 378 before the Virginia General Assembly would establish universal collective bargaining rights for public sector employees across Virginia; and

WHEREAS, teachers, firefighters, and city workers who educate our children, protect our neighborhoods, and provide essential services deserve a seat at the table to negotiate fair contracts and safe working conditions; and

WHEREAS, private sector workers in Virginia and most public employees outside the South already have the right to bargain collectively, the United Nations recognizes collective bargaining as a human right, and bans in the South are a relic of Jim Crow-era efforts to suppress the economic power of Black teachers and municipal workers;

WHEREAS, the Virginia House of Delegates removed employees of public institutions of higher education (e.g., university staff and faculty) from HB 1263’s coverage, the Virginia Senate removed individual home care workers from SB 378’s coverage, and both chambers excluded their own legislative staffers, which would unfairly exclude these public servants from the basic labor right of contract negotiations; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Newport News Democratic City Committee strongly supports HB 1263 and SB 378 and calls on the General Assembly to pass universal public sector collective bargaining legislation to ensure dignity, fairness, and a meaningful voice for all public employees. In addition, the Newport News Democratic City Committee calls on the General Assembly to include employees of public higher education and home care workers in the universal public sector collective bargaining law.