1. What are bargaining units?
The ordinance that allowed for us to create our union broke employees into three bargaining units, the idea being that the employees within the same bargaining unit would have similar issues that could be addressed in a union contract. The three units are:
Service Labor and Trades (trade workers)
Professional (positions that require an advanced degree)
Office and Technical (employees not in the other two units)
2. What is in the Service Labor & Trades union contract?
Service Labor and Trades Contract
Service Labor and Trades Contract Highlights
3. What are the steps to get a union contract for the Office & Technical and Professional bargaining units?
To form a union, 30% of eligible employees in a bargaining unit need to sign a union card (we are aiming a bit higher, just in case). Once we reach that threshold, we can call for an election to affirm AFSCME as our representative union. After the election, we can begin negotiating a contract.
4. How much are dues? How are they used?
Dues are $17.98 per paycheck and are used in a multitude of ways. These dues help pay for staff that supports organizing efforts. They are used to retain lawyers to support staff in instances where representation is necessary. Lastly, a portion of the funds goes to the union's treasury which can be used for training and events.
5. How do we determine what will be in the contract?
When negotiation begins, we will create a bargaining committee that any union member can be a part of. We will develop a survey where County staff can indicate what their priorities are and we will do our best to get them into a contract.
6. What union represents Arlington County employees?
Arlington County employees are represented by AFSCME (American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees).
7. How often do we meet?
We have regular union meetings on the 4th Tuesday of the month. At these meetings we talk about issues our colleagues are having in the workplace, and successes too! If you are interested in attending please contact local3001oc@gmail.com
and we can invite you to future meetings.
8. I thought public employees could not form unions.
Public employees can and do have unions. Collective bargaining -- the process of negotiating a union contract -- was made legal for public employees in Virginia in 2020, if their local government passes an ordinance to allow it. The Arlington County board passed collective bargaining for County workers in 2021 (County Code, Chapt 6, Section 30).
Gov. Abigail Spanberger recently vetoed a bill which would have made collective bargaining possible for all public employees in the state of Virginia regardless of local ordinance. This was a loss to our colleagues in other municipalities. But it does not change Arlington law or our ability to form a union and collectively bargain.