Virginia Beach collective bargaining task force recommends what issues employees can negotiate

Despite the Virginia Beach City Council not yet deliberating on the potential of collective bargaining by municipal employees, a task force has finalized a report detailing possible negotiation stipulations. This interest in forming collective bargaining agreements was sparked in 2021, yet the city has not yet obtained official permission from the majority of employees in a unit requesting collective bargaining. This process still requires a formal vote.

In 2023, Mayor Bobby Dyer advocated for suggestions regarding the extent and number of bargaining units. The task force, made up of 11 members including city union leaders, ex-police and fire chiefs, and prior city council member Jim Wood, convened in September and concluded their work by mid-November. The city recently shared a copy of the December 6-dated report with The Virginian Pilot.

The task force report offers no cost predictions for collective bargaining approval but highlights issues that would be subject to negotiation under the agreement. Proposals feature wage, salary, and other compensation aspects, as well as health insurance premiums. Working conditions were also addressed, with suggestions including negotiation rights over tools, equipment, and vehicles.

The report also outlines areas exempt from collective bargaining, predominantly focusing on aspects regulated by federal, state law, or municipal code. The task force capped recommended bargaining units at five, involving fire/EMS, police, service labor and trades, administrative and technical, and professional categories.

Task force chair, Max Gonano, a Virginia Beach firefighter and the president of the Virginia Beach Professional Fire and EMS union, expressed gratitude towards the city council for seeking this information. City representatives and members from the Virginia Labor and Employment Relations Association met with the task force to offer insights.

Collective bargaining, a negotiation process between unions and employers that determines employment terms, was banned for public sector employees in Virginia, one of the few states with such a prohibition, until 2020. A law enacted by the Democrat-led General Assembly permitted such practices from 2021, giving local authorities the final say.

Cities must approve a law or resolution to participate in the process. There are prohibitions on the capacity of governing bodies to set a budget or allocate funds and further strikes by public employees. Despite these restrictions, some actions are being taken to pursue collective bargaining.

The timeline for when the Virginia Beach City Council will debate this report remains uncertain, according to city representation. However, Gonano is looking forward to presenting to the council.