By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed legislation Thursday that would have expanded collective bargaining rights for Virginia public employees.
In her veto message for House Bill 1263, Spanberger said she supports collective bargaining rights for public sector employees and believes “public servants should have the same right to collectively bargain that Virginia’s private sector workers have.”
She said amendments she proposed earlier this year to phase in implementation and provide additional flexibility for local governments were rejected by the General Assembly.
“I remain committed to continuing to work with the General Assembly, unions, localities, and public servants across the commonwealth to develop a public sector collective bargaining system that works for Virginia. However, I believe additional amendments are needed to the enrolled bill currently before me.” Spanberger wrote.
According to Virginia’s Department of Planning and Budget, the legislation could have increased annual state costs by between $24 million and $26 million once fully implemented, excluding additional wage increases negotiated through collective bargaining agreements.
The legislation, House Bill 1263 and Senate Bill 378, would have established statewide rules for collective bargaining involving many public employees, including state workers, teachers and local government employees.
Spanberger’s proposed amendments would have delayed implementation for local governments until 2030 and increased flexibility for public employers handling bargaining agreements with budget implications.
Supporters of the legislation, including labor organizations and Democratic lawmakers, had urged Spanberger to sign the bills in recent weeks.
Attorney General Jay Jones said Thursday he joined union members and public servants “in their disappointment in today’s veto.”
“As the first attorney general to be a member of a union, I look forward to working with all parties to develop a bill that will deliver collective bargaining rights for the Virginia workers who have earned them,” Jones said in a statement.
Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi also voiced disappointment with the veto Thursday, saying Virginia workers “deserve the right to organize for fair wages, worker protections, and a seat at decision-making tables.”
Hashmi said she would continue supporting legislation expanding collective bargaining rights for public sector workers.
Opponents, including the Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League, said the legislation could increase costs for local governments and complicate local workforce decisions.
