Supervisor Vega hosted a virtual community meeting on the topic of public sector collective bargaining on Wednesday, May 26th.

Around 50 residents tuned in to the event via zoom and Supervisor Vega’s facebook page which featured panelists, Michelle Casciato, Deputy Executive of Prince William County; Joe Mirabile with the Prince William Professional Firefighters, and Vincent Vernuccio with Virginia Works and the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy. Casciato took a neutral approach as part of county executive management while Mirabile spoke for public sector collective bargaining and Vernuccio spoke against.

Nine pre-approved questions by both sides were asked in addition to questions from residents.

To view the full meeting please click here or watch on Supervisor Vega’s office facebook page here.

Last year, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 582 which allowed for localities to adopt ordinances recognizing labor unions or other employee associations as bargaining agents for public sector government employees.

Some employee associations, including the Prince William Labor Caucus have expressed interest in pursuing collective bargaining and the county decided to kick the process off earlier this month.

Previously, in a 1977 ruling, the Virginia Supreme Court deemed public sector collective bargaining in Virginia to be unconstitutional.

Prince William County estimates that the initial cost to set up public sector collective bargaining in the county would cost $1.5-$2 million dollars to start off.

To view the County’s presentation on public sector collective bargaining please click here.

– Coles District Staff