Council moves to grant bargaining rights; implementation delayed to 2028
The Newport News City Council has approved an ordinance allowing collective bargaining for city employees, giving municipal workers the potential to negotiate directly over pay, health benefits and contract language. The measure, passed by the council this month, will not take effect until 2028 as local leaders build time to work through rules and procedures.
The ordinance follows a 2020 change in state law that gave local governments the option to authorize bargaining. For Newport News, the council’s vote marks a significant shift in how the city and its workforce may settle terms of employment going forward. The ordinance covers city employees broadly, but the school division’s participation depends on the Newport News School Board choosing to opt in.
What supporters say it will change
- Collective bargaining could allow employees to negotiate pay and health benefits.
- It offers a way to fix or preserve contract language across administrations.
- Staff say it can clarify expectations for duties outside contract hours and address safety and respect in the workplace.
Denbigh High School teacher and Newport News Education Association president Dr. James Graves called the council action “a welcome development,” saying the change is not solely about wages. He said employees need clearer definitions of what they are and are not required to do outside of contract hours.
“It’s not all about the money. It’s about workstation safety. It’s about treating people with respect,” Dr. James Graves said.
Retired firefighter and president of the Newport News Firefighter’s Association, Adrian Manning, said collective bargaining can lock in policies when elected officials and city leadership change. Manning described the council’s approval as a source of pride and said it will take time to determine bargaining priorities and procedures.
Context and next steps
Across Virginia, municipalities have been cautious after the 2020 law. Portsmouth adopted an ordinance in the past but has not implemented bargaining. At the state level this year, Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed a bill that would have required governments to meet with employees, underscoring the contested nature of labor changes in Richmond.
| Item | Date/Status |
|---|---|
| State law enabling local bargaining | 2020 |
| Newport News City Council approval | July 2026 |
| Ordinance effective | 2028 (delayed) |
| School employees implementation | Requires school board opt-in |
City officials have said the delayed start will allow time for discussions about bargaining structure and scope. Stakeholders — from teachers and firefighters to other municipal staff — will be watching how the city and the school board approach opt-in decisions, bargaining units and ground rules for negotiating contracts.
The council’s action places Newport News among localities redefining labor-management relations in Virginia. For city employees and residents, the new process could reshape long-term policies on compensation, benefits and working conditions once bargaining begins.
