Collective Bargaining Rights For Fairfax Schools Employees Allowed

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Collective bargaining rights were extended to Fairfax County Public Schools employees with a vote Thursday.

Virginia General Assembly legislation that took effect in 2021 allowed localities in Virginia to adopt ordinances for collective bargaining with employees. School Boards are included in the scope of localities that can make collective bargaining agreements with employees. Collective bargaining involves negotiations on the terms and conditions of employment, including pay and benefits.

The motion was introduced by Providence District School Board representative Karl Frisch and seconded by Sully District representative Stella Pekarsky.

Frisch said collective bargaining can help improve staffing levels, pay, morale and student outcomes driven by teachers and school staff.

"We face a staffing crisis in public education. Longstanding teacher and school staff shortages are driven by low pay relative to peers in other professions with similar credentials, inadequate or uneven professional support, and challenging work conditions," said Frisch in remarks. "Collective bargaining will positively impact staff retention and student success. Everyone wins when teacher-pay increases, working conditions improve, turnover reduces, and educators have a seat at the decision-making table."

There will be three collective bargaining units at FCPS: licensed instructional staff, operational staff, and administrators and supervisors. Employees in the bargaining unit can select an employee association as the bargaining representative through a majority vote. Employees excluded from collective bargaining are employees working in a confidential capacity as well as substitute and temporary employees.

Mount Vernon District representative Karen Corbett Sanders introduced a motion seconded by At-Large member Abrar Omeish to develop a process for considering more bargaining units. The School Board voted to seek that process by Sept. 1.

The 17 certified employee associations at FCPS were invited to participate in the development of the collective bargaining resolution with FCP counsel, staff and experts.