The Board of Supervisors approved a new collective bargaining ordinance October 19, paving the way for county employees to decide if they want a union to negotiate benefits on their behalf. The vote was 9-1, with the sole no vote coming from Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity. 

The ordinance organizes county employees into three “units” of police, fire, and emergency medical services, and general government, with some exceptions. Temporary employees, or those who are hired for a position that lasts for four consecutive months or less, are excluded from the ordinance, as are other categories like supervisors, seasonal and confidential employees, and interns.  

Employees of Fairfax County Public Schools are not included in this ordinance. A collective bargaining agreement for FCPS must be approved by a resolution from the school board, though it would be subject to the county’s budget process to fund. 

The ordinance sets forth a framework for formal negotiations to take place between management and unions who have been elected by employees to represent their unit, though some restrictions exist on union activity. Striking, for example, is prohibited for public sector employees under Virginia law. As a “right-to-work” state, workers in Virginia are also not required to pay dues to unions who negotiate on their behalf.

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