(The Center Square) – A national firefighters union has censured Virginia’s governor over her veto of legislation that would have expanded collective bargaining rights for public employees.

Delegates to the International Association of Fire Fighters voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the censure during the union’s convention in Arlington, Texas. The resolution was submitted by the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters, which represents more than 11,000 firefighters, emergency medical workers and 911 communications officers across the Commonwealth.

The dispute centers on House Bill 1263 and Senate Bill 378, which passed the General Assembly earlier this year and would have created a statewide collective bargaining system covering many state and local public employees.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger supported expanding collective bargaining but sought changes to the legislation before vetoing it in May.

Her amendments would have delayed implementation of the new system for local governments until Jan. 1, 2030, while making other changes aimed at addressing concerns raised by local governments.

Lawmakers rejected the amendments in April and returned the legislation to its original form.

“I support establishing collective bargaining rights for public sector employees,” Spanberger said in her veto explanation. She said additional changes were needed to create a system that was “strong, feasible, and durable.”

The veto drew criticism from labor groups that had supported Spanberger during her campaign. The firefighters union says she failed to follow through on commitments made to public safety workers.

The IAFF said it will oppose Spanberger in future federal or national political endeavors unless she takes what the union considers meaningful action to establish collective bargaining rights for Virginia firefighters and emergency medical workers.

Kurt Detrick, president of the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters, said the organization remains willing to work with Spanberger and would retract the censure if legislation is enacted.

The legislation also faced significant opposition from local governments.

The Virginia Association of Counties said roughly 70% of Virginia counties passed resolutions opposing the bills. The group argued the legislation would limit local decision-making, create new administrative and fiscal obligations and give a state Public Employee Relations Board authority over local labor relations.

VACo urged Spanberger to veto the legislation after lawmakers rejected her amendments.

Virginia law currently allows local governments to choose whether to authorize collective bargaining with their employees.

This post was originally published on The Center Square.