Hi John,

At UEREF, we know that the right to collective bargaining is essential for public sector workers. Our Southern Worker Justice Campaign (SWJC) fights every day to bring this right to workers across the US South. This year in Virginia, we’ve made major strides toward workplace justice.

Will you help us reach our goal of raising $5,000 by December 31 to win collective bargaining rights for all workers in Virginia?

Invest in collective bargaining rights today!

Until recently, Virginia was one of only three states to ban public sector collective bargaining. We changed that. In 2021, after a long struggle, SWJC and our allies won the right for Virginia municipalities to allow public sector workers to unionize. Nine cities have passed ordinances so far.

Currently, SWJC is seizing a major opportunity in the Hampton Roads area. In November, we mobilized city workers in Portsmouth to rally while the City Council considered a collective bargaining resolution. The resolution passed. Now we’re fighting for ordinances in three more Black-majority cities: Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Newport News.  

We’re developing Black, Brown, and immigrant public sector workers to lead the way. We help folks like Terry Green, a city worker in Virginia Beach, build the knowledge and skills to stand up against decades of systemic racism.

Recently, Terry and a fellow Black worker-leader were appointed to Virginia Beach’s Collective Bargaining Task Force. Virginia Beach is the state’s largest city. Its ordinance will set the stage for collective bargaining statewide.

“The Southern Worker Justice Campaign has helped teach city workers how to communicate with our co-workers to build a better workplace, win better wages and improve our conditions. Racial discrimination in our society is only getting worse, and it starts from the top. This campaign has helped us understand how to change that.” TERRY GREEN, Water Distribution Worker, City of Virginia Beach

Time is of the essence. Virginia Beach’s City Council will vote in January. We have right on our side, but we can’t afford to lose momentum. Will you invest in collective bargaining rights for workers in Virginia?

Train one worker-leader: $25

Train two worker-leaders: $50

Train five worker-leaders: $125

Invest another amount

In solidarity,

Kari Thompson
Director, UE Research and Education Fund

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