VB City Council set to vote on collective bargaining Tuesday
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Virginia Beach City Council will vote Tuesday night towards a resolution on collective bargaining for city employees.
The vote has the potential to impact more than 7,000 public jobs in the city of Virginia Beach. Unionized city workers with the Virginia Beach City Workers Union are advocating for collective bargaining, which would allow groups of workers to negotiate their contracts with the city, going over things like pay and working conditions. The collective bargaining resolution was first brought forth by the city’s firefighter and EMS union.
VB Council hears public comment on collective bargaining before April 30 vote
In April, members of the Virginia Beach City Workers Union marched outside city hall with signs in hand. Many of them believe collective bargaining would level the playing field and give the workers a voice. They would be able to collectively negotiate things like pay and working conditions. It comes at a time when the city is coming to grips with staffing issues across its departments, especially in Fire and EMS.
Collective bargaining is something Portsmouth started allowing, though Norfolk has not. City leaders across Hampton Roads are talking with each other about the issue.
At the previous Virginia Beach city council meeting, Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson told the room about the warning she heard from Norfolk’s mayor.
“He told me three times that collective bargaining could bankrupt us,” she said. “That’s a scary thought.”
City workers plan to picket and speak-out starting at 5:30 p.m. at the City of Virginia Beach Municipal Complex, ahead of the City Council vote.
“With collective bargaining we can level the playing field and have a voice. City workers have never had a voice,” Chair of the Virginia Beach City Workers Union Terry Green said. “The majority is with us.”
Faith leaders, such as Reverend Perez Gatling, a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, will also attend the picket, stating those who work to keep the city beautiful cannot afford to live in the city.
“It is unconscionable to think that many of the city workers who collect trash, repair and replace sewer drains, maintain fresh water systems, maintain the beautiful oceanfront and the parks, and perform many other vital services for the city cannot afford to live in the city,” Gatling wrote to city council. “With this vote, you have the opportunity to leave an indelible mark in history that will forever bear your names. Stand up. Be courageous. Vote for collective bargaining for our city workers.”
City leaders are expected to vote on this issue Tuesday night at 6 p.m., deciding if they will move forward with collective bargaining.
The full special formal session agenda for City Council’s meeting can be found here.
Check with WAVY.com for more updates.
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