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Richmond union leaders urge council to give negotiators authority as contracts near expiration
Summary
Representatives from multiple city employee unions told the City Council during public comment that bargaining teams have submitted proposals but have received no responses from city negotiators as contract deadlines approach.
Union representatives from several bargaining units urged the Richmond City Council on Tuesday to give city negotiators authority to bargain ahead of multiple labor contract expirations.
The comment period before closed session featured speakers from IFPTE Local 21, SEIU, the Richmond Police Officers Association and other unions. John Varga of IFPTE Local 21 said the mid‑management and executive managers’ contracts “are set to expire at the end of this month,” that bargaining teams presented proposals more than 45 days ago and that “to date, the city's negotiating team has not provided a response.”
Yvette Williams Barr, president of IFPTE Mid Managers Local 21, told the council the unions submitted comprehensive proposals on May 1 and reiterated them on June 4, and that “as of 06/17/2025, we have received no formal response from the City.” Barr pointed to HR data presented to the council showing “high vacancy rates, forcing remaining staff to work double or triple duty” and asked the council to direct negotiators in closed session so agreements can be reached before the June 30 deadline.
Kevin Tisdale, president of SEIU Local 20/21 (Richmond chapter), and Ben Theriault, president of the Richmond Police Officers Association (calling in), made similar pleas for the council to authorize bargaining teams to negotiate “in good faith” and to avoid contract expirations that union leaders said would hinder recruitment and retention. Tisdale said, “Let’s put people over the projects… provide a decent living wage for those workers behind me.”
Mayor Martinez closed the open session and the council entered closed session to discuss labor negotiations and liability claims. The public comments were recorded ahead of that closed session; the council’s final public report after closed session said C1 and C2 were discussed and “no final action was taken” while the council “gave direction to the labor negotiators.”
The statements from union leaders were limited to requests for bargaining authority and public explanation of stalled talks; they did not include formal proposals or commitments from the city’s negotiating team.
The council does not typically disclose closed‑session instructions or bargaining positions publicly. Union speakers asked the council to resolve outstanding bargaining authority issues so that talks may proceed before the end of June.
