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Richmond City Workers Rally for Fair Negotiations

Oct 9, 2024

Mayor Stoney Accused of Stonewalling Collective Bargaining

(Richmond, VA) – On October 8, 2024, nearly 100 Richmond city workers, union leaders, and local officials gathered in front of City Hall, demanding that Mayor Levar Stoney and his administration come to the negotiating table and bargain in good faith with Teamsters Local 322. The rally was organized in response to the administration’s refusal to negotiate a fair first contract for workers in the labor and trades bargaining unit, which includes employees from the Department of Public Works (DPW), Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Planning and Development Review.

The rally saw support from several notable figures, including Councilwoman Reva Trammell, Councilman Andreas Addison, and candidates for public office, such as Kenya Gibson (3rd District Council) and Harrison Roday (Richmond Mayor). Members of the organizing committee, including Laura Harris, Maurice Black, and Mavis Green, also spoke at the rally. Adding to the solidarity, four Teamster tractor trailers from Teamsters Local 135 (Indiana), Teamsters Joint Council 94 (Virginia), Teamsters Local 118 (Rochester, NY), and Teamsters Local 776 (Pennsylvania) circled City Hall, blowing their air horns in support of the workers.

The union’s proposal not only seeks to address pay disparities and establish a step scale with longevity premiums but also calls for enhanced safety measures and training. This demand follows two major incidents in the past year involving city employees. In March 2024, a city worker tragically lost his life after a tree fell on him while working, and in a separate incident, another worker was seriously injured by electrocution. These incidents underscore the urgent need for improved safety protocols and training to protect the lives of Richmond’s workers.

"Mayor Stoney and his administration have been dragging their feet. They talk a good game about being pro-worker, but when it comes time to sit down and negotiate, they refuse to act," said Dwayne Johnson, Director of Organizing for Teamsters Local 322. "Our members voted overwhelmingly for this union because they believe in fair treatment and want a contract that reflects their hard work and dedication to the city."

"This isn't just about pay—it’s about respect for the people who keep this city functioning," said Brian Peyton, President of Teamsters Local 322. "Richmond workers deserve better than being stalled and dismissed. It’s time for Mayor Stoney to stop maintaining the status quo and come to the table ready to negotiate in good faith."

The city administration’s claim that it cannot afford the union’s proposal, citing the proposed property tax cuts by Councilwoman Reva Trammell, has been widely criticized. These tax cuts have not yet been implemented, and Richmond has experienced consistent budget surpluses, including $216 million in FY 2023. Many bargaining unit salaries are funded through public utility enterprise funds, which have shown tens of millions in annual surpluses.

As of now, the Stoney administration has not responded to the union’s demands, and the workers of Richmond are still waiting for the fair contract they have long been promised.

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