Gov. Spanberger to veto collective bargaining bill, says Senate Majority Leader

Added: 2026-05-19

[00:00:00]A top Virginia lawmaker says Governor Abigail Spanberger will veto a collective bargaining bill sitting on her desk. Brianna Fallon has reaction.

[00:00:09]The bill would allow public employees to participate in collective bargaining, which could give workers a seat at the table to negotiate as a group instead of as individuals. But state senator Scott Suravel says Governor Spamberger plans to veto the bill.

[00:00:24]>> It's wrong. It's upsetting. This is the second time a collective bargaining bill made it to the governor's desk. Governor Spanberger requested changes to the original legislation to give local governments more flexibility in implementation and clarify budget approval requirements. But state leaders rejected those changes. Now teachers like James Graves say they feel silenced.

[00:00:46]>> You telling the public service people that we don't have a seat at the table and we won't have one.

[00:00:52]>> Yesterday, reporters spoke with Governor Spamberger about the bill. She says while she wants to sign collective bargaining legislation into law, she wants to be sure her administration can implement it well.

[00:01:03]>> I've been clear in my desire to to be a governor who signs that bill into law.

[00:01:08]Um, but also clear in what I consider my mandate, which is to get it right.

[00:01:12]>> Chesapeake Mayor Rick West is one of many Handen Roads leaders that oppose the legislation. He says he spoke with Governor Spanberger himself about the bill. She thinks that we can come to a conclusion that will work for the localities and also accomplish uh the outcomes that collective bargaining can can bring.

[00:01:30]>> Mayor West along with several other Hampton Roads mayors, including Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer, sent letters to lawmakers and the governor with their concerns around the bill. One of Mayor Dyer's problems with the legislation is the impact it could have on taxpayer wallets. It's going to cost millions of dollars and it's also going to create confrontational management. Let's just take time, take a look at the impact before we rush into it. That's all I ask.

[00:01:56]>> Brianna Fallon, 13 News Now.

[00:01:59]>> And Governor Spanberger did not veto the bill yet. She still has until May 23rd to make a final decision.