PORTSMOUTH — City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution granting city employees the ability to collectively bargain, making Portsmouth the first Hampton Roads city to take that step.
It was approved 4-2, with Mayor Shannon Glover and Council member Mark Whitaker voting against. Council member De’Andre Barnes was absent.
Allowing collective bargaining means workers can negotiate in good faith with city leaders on a labor contract dictating pay, benefits, safety, equipment and working conditions. The scope of what can be bargained would be determined by council members in a future ordinance.
Council members who voted in support said the benefit is providing city employees with consistency and stability despite leadership changes. Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke said it’s an opportunity for council to take a deeper look at how the city recruits and retains employees and that they can be forward thinking in anticipating any issues that may arise with collective bargaining negotiations.
“I believe that a lot of the changes that we have seen have happened as a result of the issue being brought before us,” Lucas-Burke said. “If there had not been a union or if there had not been a force to come forth, where would we be?”
Supporters and opponents packed the City Council chamber and tensions ran high before the vote, with Interim City Manager Mimi Terry saying the decision will require a heavy lift by the city.
“I hope the citizens understand what this will mean for them,” Terry said. “We’re about to go through budget deliberations. What is it going to cost the city?”
The initiative was led by the union representing nearly all of the city’s nearly 200 full-time firefighters and paramedics, though it will allow all city employees to bargain. In July, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 539 sent authorization cards to the city requesting collective bargaining rights, displaying support from about 90% of its members, according to union president Lt. Kurt Detrick.
Virginia was one of a few states with a blanket ban on collective bargaining for public sector employees until 2020, when the Democrat-controlled General Assembly enacted a new law, effective 2021, punting the final say to localities.
Some cities in Northern Virginia already have approved the collective bargaining process for city workers, but attempts in Hampton Roads had not yet been successful.
Virginia Beach is considering collective bargaining for employees. Portsmouth previously approved collective bargaining rights for city employees in 2020, but reversed course after city officials raised concern about the cost.
“By City Council supporting collective bargaining, you will demonstrate your commitment to fairness, equity and the well-being of those who dedicate themselves to public service,” Detrick said during the meeting. “This proactive approach not only strengthens the bond between the city and its employees, but also contributes to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of public service.”
Glover and Terry took jabs at union leaders about the politicization and public discourse surrounding the issue. Terry listed several resources and initiatives in the works to help city employees and the fire department, including revamped pay structures, compression pay, additional personnel, career development progression steps and additional fleet.
The Fiscal Year 2024 budget included a 7% general wage increase for workers. David Rose with Davenport & Company, the city’s financial advisor, noted among the biggest financial impacts is salaries and benefits as that already makes up nearly half of the city’s total expenses. He estimates just a 1% adjustment to wages is equal to about $1.35 million. He also said collective bargaining could put pressure on cash-flow requirements for pension funding as well as funding for local schools.
Glover said firefighters can’t ignore the good that’s been done this year and asked what a collective bargaining agreement would provide that firefighters don’t already have. He also said Portsmouth is unique in that almost half of its land can’t be taxed, which already limits the revenue.
In addition to fiscal impacts, Terry cited a list of cons for collective bargaining, including limited flexibility, loss of direct communication between supervisors and employees and new layers of review and formalities.
Council member Mark Hugel, a retired Navy rear admiral with experience in leading unions, refuted Terry’s claims, adding that a collective bargaining agreement eliminates the need for her to resolve issues in the field herself.
Council member Bill Moody said he supported it because fire personnel and others shouldn’t have to face uncertainty each fiscal year. Council member Vernon Tillage also has been a vocal supporter, noting at Tuesday’s meeting that as a legislative aid he worked with Virginia lawmakers on the legislation that now allows collective bargaining.
Kevin O’Connor with the national International Association of Firefighters cited a few benefits of collective bargaining ability, including increased employee morale, less turnover and fewer workplace disputes. Speakers who voiced support said it’s about being able to have a seat at the table as the ones directly in the field doing the work.
Police Chief Stephen Jenkins was candid about his belief it would hemorrhage his ability to lead the agency at a time when he’s addressing a staffing shortage and high crime. Fire Chief Nestor Mangubat was less certain about the impact. But Fire Batallion Chief Sean Teartt, the first Black firefighter given that title in Portsmouth, was critical of the move, noting that it’d amount to “unequal representation” and a stifling of minority voices unless they pay union dues.
Whitaker concurred with the notion it would stifle the voices of Black workers, and referenced a recent vote of no confidence levied against the fire chief by the union as the department is making racial progress.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
