Hampton Roads mayors want Virginia localities to keep control over collective bargaining

By: WHRO

Outlets: Virginia Mercury

Published: February 5, 2026

Words: 395

Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

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By Nick McNamara/WHRO

In a show of regional unity, mayors from the seven core cities of Hampton Roads united to oppose a bill that would allow public workers to collectively bargain over wages, benefits, and working conditions without local governments’ approval.

Laquetta Mackey, president of the Norfolk Federation of Teachers, called it disappointing.

“We definitely need a seat at the table,” she said. “It should be a fundamental right.”

Virginia lawmakers in 2020 ended the …

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