Collective Bargaining

Collective bargaining is the process by which employees negotiate with their employers through a chosen representative to set various contractual terms and conditions of their employment. Prior to 2020, Virginia had expressly banned collective bargaining for public employees since 1977. During the 2020 Legislative Session, the General Assembly considered several bills seeking to repeal the Commonwealth's prohibition on collective bargaining for public employees. Ultimately, the General Assembly passed and the Governor signed a bill that gave localities the option to adopt a collective bargaining ordinance for public employees. The local option is codified in Virginia Code§ 40.1-57.2 and became effective May 1, 2021.

Section 40.1-57.2 provides that any collective bargaining ordinance must set forth procedures for the certification and decertification of exclusive bargaining representatives for employee units, including a means for other employee groups to participate in this process. However, it also states that no collective bargaining ordinance shall restrict a locality's governing body's ability to establish a budget or appropriate funds. Additionally, the new statute does not authorize employees to strike, which remains strictly prohibited.

Only employees of the governing body are eligible for inclusion in a collective bargaining ordinance. That is, employees who are subject to the authority and control of the Board of County Supervisors, either directly or through the County Executive or County Attorney. Moreover, employees of local elected constitutional officers and state employees, who are not subject to the authority of the Board of County Supervisors, are excluded from collective bargaining. Likewise, contractors, volunteers, interns and other individuals who are not employees, and therefore not a part of the personnel system, are excluded.

On November 22, 2022, the Board of County Supervisors adopted a Collective Bargaining Ordinance, and on July 11, 2023, the Board held a public hearing and amended the Collective Bargaining Ordinance.

UPDATE 11/13/23: Staff reached tentative four-year Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with both the Prince William County Police Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters, with a wage reopener at the end of year two. Both unions have ratified the agreements, which is testament to the hard work and dedication by members of the negotiation teams, which include the unions, Human Resources and the County Attorney’s Office. It is important to note that Prince William County is the only Northern Virginia jurisdiction that was able to successfully negotiate all of its contracts without utilizing impasse arbitration.

UPDATE 01/20/24: During their meeting, the Board of County Supervisors ratified the collective bargaining agreements with the Prince William County Police Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters. The fiscal impacts of the agreements will be built into the County Executive's Proposed FY2025 Budget, which will be presented during the Board's 7:30 p.m. meeting on Feb. 20, 2024. The budget is scheduled for adoption by the Board in April.

The video archives and briefs from those meetings are available on the county's website.

Ratified Collective Bargaining Agreements

Labor Relations Administrator

The Labor Relations Administrator (“LRA”) is an experienced neutral in the field of labor relations who serves as a neutral administrator, fact-finder, and mediator. The LRA is responsible for the process for certification and decertification of Exclusive Representatives, investigation of unfair labor practices charges, and assisting with the selection of mediators or arbitrators as needs arise under the CBO or under any collective bargaining agreements.

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