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Collective Bargaining in Virginia

We Worked to Bring Bargaining Back!

The VEA helped overturn our state’s prohibition of collective bargaining for public education employees in the 2020 General Assembly, a huge win for educators and students in the commonwealth. With the dawn of a new era in Virginia political leadership, school and other public employees once again have the right to bargain their contracts, and the Union was a big part of making that happen.

Collective bargaining for educators is good for everyone, says VEA President Dr. James J. Fedderman, who points to three important facts to back that up:

Negotiations ensure that educators’ unique perspectives and input are brought to the table. “We’re the ones working in the schools every day and we see what’s going on with instruction,” Fedderman says. Before collective bargaining for public employees was banned in Virginia, local associations had bargained such student-centric items as additional reading, art, and music teachers; the setting of school calendars; fairer discipline policies; and more.

“In states where public educators have bargained their contracts,” he says, “a wide range of topics have been brought to the table. We’ve seen improvements in class sizes, resources available for students, and safety issues all made possible through negotiation.”

Bargained contracts help recruit and retain top-notch educators. It’s no secret that inadequate pay and reduced benefits lead to increased turnover, and increased turnover isn’t good for students. “A chance to sit down with school administrators and bargain our contracts is the best way we have to ensure that teachers and other educators are paid the kind of professional salary they deserve,” says Fedderman.

Collective bargaining offers a way to meet local school challenges. Turnover isn’t just about pay—it’s also (and sometimes even more so) about working conditions. “If educators are facing poor working conditions, then students are facing poor learning conditions, and those are both big factors in why so many good teachers choose to leave the profession,” says Fedderman. “In collective bargaining, they would have a meaningful voice in identifying and solving problems.”

Learn more in ‘Frequently Asked Questions,’ below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is collective bargaining?

Essentially, the process of collective bargaining creates a way for your association and your school division to come together, reach mutually-acceptable solutions to problems, and reach a written agreement. It simply means that representatives of both educators and administrators sit down and negotiate fairly together.

In our public schools, bargaining also puts in place an organized and transparent system designed to improve education and to help make sure that professional educators are paid a professional salary. When your local union and your school division can work out agreements about salary, benefits, and working conditions—which are also student learning conditions—it’s a win for everyone.

The process begins with both sides examining the current agreement and getting the feedback of colleagues to identify areas of concern or that need improvement. During actual negotiations, procedures are agreed on about how to propose changes and what subjects are legally permissible to discuss. Bargaining concludes when compromise is reached and the union holds a ratification vote. Management usually must get approval from the school board.

When the bargaining process is working best, it’s often because the union and school division are keeping in regular touch about the contract, perhaps in a monthly labor-management committee meeting.

How would collective bargaining for school employees work in Virginia?

Even though it is now the law of the commonwealth, change will not come immediately. First of all, the lifting of the ban on public employee collective bargaining was pushed back to May 1, 2021 because of the COVID crisis.

Leading up to that date, a lot of groundwork must be laid. Bargaining will not begin automatically.

The change will not be immediate. First of all, the lifting of the ban on public employees (teachers, custodians, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, etc.) takes effect on May 1, 2021.

Your district needs to pass a resolution agreeing to collectively bargain with your local association. If they have not passed such a resolution, you will need to do the following:

  1. Determine who will be in your bargaining unit. Will it be everyone (teachers, office staff, bus drivers, counselors, etc.) or just a specific group?
  2. Then, 50%+1 of that group needs to fill our authorization cards indicating they want to be represented by your VEA local.
  3. Your school board then has 120 days to consider your collective request to bargain.
  4. Keep up the pressure on your school boards. Your voice matters and in states where educators have a voice, we see an increase in funding, higher wages, and an increased focus on getting resources to the classroom and students.
What is VEA doing to make collective bargaining a reality for Locals?

Now that collective bargaining rights have been restored, VEA has begun the process of educating members, leaders, and staff about organizing for collective bargaining. The February issue of the Virginia Journal of Education included an informative piece to guide members. UniServ Directors are being trained in collective bargaining, a webinar for local member representatives is planned, and there will be regional meetings around Virginia to help bring members up to speed. We also used our summer leadership training opportunity to build skills.

To take advantage of this new opportunity, we must gain membership and grow in strength. VEA and NEA are teaming up on a major initiative to support training and member organizing to help us do that and take advantage of the opportunity presented by bargaining.

What can VEA members be doing to help make collective bargaining a reality?

Educate yourself. Attend a VEA collective bargaining training. Learn more about the bargaining process and the kinds of topics that can be brought to the table.

Help build the Union’s power. Ask your colleagues to join your local association. Be an active part of the local campaign to start bargaining with your school division.

Identify issues in your workplace that you’d like to see changed or somehow addressed through bargaining. Consider becoming a building representative.

In short, be part of the movement to bring bargaining to your local, for both your colleagues and your students!

Collective Bargaining News

Collective Bargaining Bill Advances; You Helped Make it Happen!

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Teachers' Union Backs Collective Bargaining Bill

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Virginia’s Public Employees Launch Fight For Collective Bargaining

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“A better working environment for Virginia teachers translates into a better learning environment for our students. It’s time that teachers and support professionals have a seat at the table. This is OUR time.”

Kelly Walker
President, Virginia Beach Education Association

Joining Forces

VEA is part of a coalition of groups, called Stronger Communities: A Better Bargain, formed to support the return of collective bargaining for public employees in Virginia. The other organizations are: Virginia AFL-CIO; The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); The American Federation of Teachers (AFT); The Communications Workers of America (CWA); Service Employees International Union (SEIU); The Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (VPFF); and The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400.

The coalition’s work includes a robust lobbying campaign, earned media, and a joint digital advertising campaign educating Virginians about the advantages of collective bargaining and how it benefits workers and communities.

Did You Know?

Virginia is the 12th wealthiest state, but ranks 32nd in the US in teacher pay.

Take Action Now
  • Virginia Education Association
    116 South 3rd Street
    Richmond, VA 23219
    Tel: 804-648-5801 or 800-552-9554
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