We strongly oppose SB378/HB1263 mandating localities collectively bargain with unions. In Virginia 1993 Governor Wilder made collective bargaining for public employee’s illegal. The vote passed in nonpartisan support House 78 to 21 and the Senate 36 to 3. That law was overturned under Governor Northam on a party line vote. making it a choice some localities are regreting making that choice. Local governments should have the option to determine if and how to engage in collective bargaining for public sector employees. Some like Norfolk are having monthly meeting with employees without engaging with unions and contracts. Public employee unions have brought cities and states to near bankruptcies refusing to renegotiate contracts during economic downturns. In fact, the city of Vallejo, California did file bankruptcy in order to renegotiated union contracts. What unions don't get in pay increases they'll take in benefits, like free healthcare for life and generous retirements. Current administrations promise future benefits kicking the can down the road, these benefits become unfunded liabilities while they may not be in office to answer for it when the bill comes due. Governors like Christie of New Jersey found that out when he took office with a 12 billion budget gap, he sought to get his legislature to cap wages, the unions spend 6 million on attack ads. Governor Walker of Wisconson signed title 10 legislation into law to limit collective bargaining to just wages, he survived a recall election initiated by the unions. Governor Kasich of Ohio also signed into law similar limits, the unions spent millions to get a referendum on the ballot to overturn that legislation. New York was bailed out by the federal government after Governor Cuomo was prevented from getting concessions by an amendment inserted into law for union contracts. In Miami the police union sued after the city made changes to their union contract saying the city failed to raise taxes, fire non-union workers and put in street cameras. This is the future taxpayers who NEVER voted for union officers will be paying for the administrators, contract negociators, lawyers, court costs arbitrators, Every dollar spent on administering collective bargaining is a dollar not spent on city services.
Please VOTE NO
We strongly oppose SB378/HB1263 mandating localities collectively bargain with unions. In Virginia 1993 Governor Wilder made collective bargaining for public employee’s illegal. The vote passed in nonpartisan support House 78 to 21 and the Senate 36 to 3. That law was overturned under Governor Northam on a party line vote. making it a choice some localities are regreting making that choice. Local governments should have the option to determine if and how to engage in collective bargaining for public sector employees. Some like Norfolk are having monthly meeting with employees without engaging with unions and contracts. Public employee unions have brought cities and states to near bankruptcies refusing to renegotiate contracts during economic downturns. In fact, the city of Vallejo, California did file bankruptcy in order to renegotiated union contracts. What unions don't get in pay increases they'll take in benefits, like free healthcare for life and generous retirements. Current administrations promise future benefits kicking the can down the road, these benefits become unfunded liabilities while they may not be in office to answer for it when the bill comes due. Governors like Christie of New Jersey found that out when he took office with a 12 billion budget gap, he sought to get his legislature to cap wages, the unions spend 6 million on attack ads. Governor Walker of Wisconson signed title 10 legislation into law to limit collective bargaining to just wages, he survived a recall election initiated by the unions. Governor Kasich of Ohio also signed into law similar limits, the unions spent millions to get a referendum on the ballot to overturn that legislation. New York was bailed out by the federal government after Governor Cuomo was prevented from getting concessions by an amendment inserted into law for union contracts. In Miami the police union sued after the city made changes to their union contract saying the city failed to raise taxes, fire non-union workers and put in street cameras. This is the future taxpayers who NEVER voted for union officers will be paying for the administrators, contract negociators, lawyers, court costs arbitrators, Every dollar spent on administering collective bargaining is a dollar not spent on city services. Please VOTE NO