Charlottesville’s fourth collective bargaining unit to be represented by Teamsters Local 29

Another collective bargaining unit has been formed in Charlottesville with employees in several departments agreeing last week to join the Teamsters, according to a press release sent out Thursday by the labor organization.

“Workers in the City of Charlottesville’s Department of Public Works, Department of Public Utilities, Department of Parks and Recreation, Fire Department, and Office of Community Solutions have voted to join Teamsters Local 29,” reads the press release.

The election was held on Wednesday at the Carver Recreation Center with eligible city employees asked if they supported representation by Teamsters Local 29 or no representation at all. 

The election was open to full-time and part-time employees “associated with maintenance and skilled crafts” or “job classes of workers performing duties that result directly in the comfort and convenience of the general public or contribute to the maintenance of capital assets, land and infrastructure of the City.” (view the notice)

The release states that 144 workers voted to join the Teamsters. 

That ranges from Building Maintenance Mechanic I to Vehicle and Equipment Technician III. 

The city’s adopted collective bargaining ordinance allowed for three units to be formed in the first year with one additional unit allowed per year through 2026. So far, one unit represents police officers and one unit represents most of the Charlottesville Fire Department. 

In an election that ended on May 30, 2023, 35 ballots were cast by police employees to be represented by the Charlottesville Chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association. The vote was unanimous. (read the decision)

In another election that ended on May 30, 2023, 70 employees of the Fire Department voted to be represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2363. That was also a unanimous vote. (read the decision)

In an election held on May 30, 2023, 57 Charlottesville Area Transit employees voted in a secret ballot to have the Amalgamated Transit Union represent them, and another nine voted against representation. (read the decision)

The remaining two bargaining units are for administrative and technical employees and professional employees. According to the ordinance, neither can be recognized until next year.

Public sector employees could not unionize in Virginia until legislation passed the General Assembly in 2020. 

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