Last night Danville City Council voted to table consideration a resolution that would have prohibited city workers from collective bargaining. The chambers were filled with city utility workers, several of whom were represented by Dale McCray the lead organizer for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

“We don’t particularly see the need for the for the resolution that you have on the agenda, it kind of codifies what the state legislature change, which to be honest gives us some concern,” said McCray

Collective bargaining hasn’t been allowed by the city in the past, but the Virginia General Assembly in 2021 approved local governments to recognize unions and collective bargaining. The council also heard from Thomas Collins a Danville Fire Department captain.

“Passing such a resolution like this does not encourage the city employees to have more faith in their elected officials,” said Collins, “this resolution will merely further the need for something as collective bargaining. We want that seat at the table, we deserve that seat at the table because we are the ones who this resolution is going to affect.”

The issue will be discussed again at a future city council meeting.