VA: Fairfax County Public School Workers Secure Collective Bargaining Rights

March 13, 2023, ffxnow.com.

The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously on Thursday (Mar. 9) to give public school teachers and staff collective bargaining rights. The resolution gives employees the right to organize and elect a union that can negotiate labor contracts, including pay, benefits and work conditions. The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation in 2020 allowing local governments to give collective bargaining rights to public workers.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution for county employees the following year. After more than a year of work, administrators with Fairfax County Public Schools presented a 22-page draft resolution to the school board in December. Karl Frisch, the school board’s Providence District representative, introduced the motion during a school board meeting, saying collective bargaining will positively affect staff retention and student success.

“Everyone wins when teachers and staff have pay increases, better working conditions, reduced turnover, and workers have a seat at the decision-making table,” Frisch said.

The resolution states that the school board retains the right to determine budgets and can take necessary actions to carry out its mission during emergencies. It also guarantees workers the right “to engage in informal conversations and interactions about workplace and organizational issues while on duty” without facing coercion or intimidation. According to Virginia law, bargaining unit members are not allowed to go on strike. Any negotiations with budgetary or financial implications need to be initiated by Sept. 1 and agreed upon by Nov. 1 to be included in the following year’s budget.

FCPS will recognize separate bargaining units for: Licensed instructional staff, including full and part-time teachers, librarians and counselors; Operational support employees, such as assistants, custodians, food service workers and bus drivers; Administrators and supervisors, including principals and program administrators...https://www.ffxnow.com/2023/03/13/fairfax-county-public-school-workers-secure-collective-bargaining-rights/