RICHMOND, VA – Democrats spent all year promising they would not touch right to work and that they would protect the money in Virginians’ pockets. Now one of their first priorities is dismantling Virginia’s right to work laws and pushing mandatory collective bargaining, even though Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger promised she would not sign a repeal.
“Democrats looked Virginians in the eye and said they would not touch right to work, and then as soon as prefiling began for the upcoming Session, they made it a day one priority,” said Senate Republican Leader Ryan McDougle. “This is classic bait and switch politics. On day one they are already reaching into your paycheck with a scheme that will raise costs, grow government and force hardworking Virginians to fund unions against their will. Senate Republicans will fight every single attempt to gut right to work and we will stand up to Democrats whose policies will take money out of Virginians pockets.”
If Democrats get their way, teachers could walk out of classrooms, police could abandon their posts, firefighters could stay home, and water workers could shut off the taps – leaving families without education, protection, or even running water.
Republicans warned that mandatory collective bargaining is a backdoor repeal of right to work for state and local government employees. State and Local governments will be forced to raise your taxes to meet union demands. That means you will pay higher car taxes, higher property taxes, and bigger bills for families that are already stretched thin.
“Make no mistake, this is not about protecting workers, it is about paying off union bosses with your tax dollars,” said Senate Republican Caucus Chair Mark Obenshain. “Democrats promised to protect the money in your pockets, and their very first move is a direct hit on Virginia families. Mandatory collective bargaining will blow up local budgets and push car and property taxes higher just to keep up. Senate Republicans will fight this every step of the way, because government needs to stay out of your pockets and Virginia needs to stay a right to work state.”
