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Richmond workers press council to finish contracts, demand AI protections and limits on discipline timelines
Summary
Dozens of Richmond city employees and union representatives urged the City Council on Oct. 28 to finish stalled contract talks, pressing for retroactive pay, expanded longevity payments and binding protections on the city’s use of artificial intelligence.
Dozens of Richmond city employees, union leaders and community supporters used public comment at the Oct. 28 Richmond City Council meeting to press the council to finalize expired labor contracts and to adopt specific safeguards around discipline and the city’s use of artificial intelligence.
“The city needs to take a strong stance saying we support our people,” said Michelle Milam of Local 21, who asked the council to adopt a modified Local 21 proposal that would give employees participation and transparency in any AI deployment. “We want transparency in that process, and we want employees to be a part of helping the city to design that process going forward.”
Speakers representing SEIU Local 1021 and IFPTE (IFPTE Local 21) said bargaining teams had reached agreement on most proposals but were stalled on a longstanding discipline provision and on AI protections. Jose Abacita of SEIU said the teams had settled 16 of 17 proposals and that the remaining dispute concerned a discipline timeline dating to 1995. “This provision…prevents anyone from being disciplined after 6 months,” Abacita said; negotiators have discussed expanding that to 12 months.
Union speakers and rank‑and‑file employees also asked the council to support retroactivity for cost‑of‑living adjustments and longevity pay, and to press negotiators to finish a tentative agreement for member ratification. Kevin Tisdale, president of SEIU (calling in), said the bargaining teams had agreed in principle on 16 of 17 proposals and urged the council to “secure labor peace” so members can vote on a tentative agreement.
Several speakers framed AI protections as essential. Sean Stalbaum of IFPTE Local 21 said he is “not opposed to innovation,” but asked the city to adopt “fair, reasonable guardrails” so public services are not subsumed by corporate management models.
The council met in closed session earlier in the meeting to discuss labor negotiations (listed on the closed session agenda alongside litigation and property negotiations). After closed session the city attorney reported the council approved a settlement in a litigation matter (Egress v. City of Richmond) and that “no final action was taken on any other item.”
What happened next: Council did not take a formal public vote on any labor contract during this meeting. Multiple union leaders said they want a tentative agreement returned to members for ratification once outstanding items are resolved.
