Wythe County Board adopts resolution opposing state-mandated collective bargaining (HB 1263 / SB 378)

The Wythe County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 2026-03 on March 10, formally opposing HB 1263 and SB 378 — bills the resolution describes as imposing mandatory collective bargaining and eliminating local option. The resolution argues that the proposed legislation would shift decision-making away from locally elected officials, create new administrative and arbitration costs without dedicated state funding, and pose particular fiscal challenges for counties in Southwest Virginia with limited commercial tax bases.

Supervisor Rolland R. Cook moved for adoption of the resolution; Supervisor Bradley D. Martin seconded and the motion carried by unanimous roll call. The resolution states that the board urges the Governor and members of the General Assembly to preserve local authority over workforce and labor relations policies and directs the clerk to transmit the resolution to the Governor and the county’s legislators.

The resolution lists specific objections: loss of local option, imposition of a statewide bargaining framework administered by a Public Employee Relations Board, potential diversion of local resources from core services, reduced local flexibility to align workforce decisions with budget realities, and the risk of unpredictable fiscal obligations through mandatory arbitration. The board cited Wythe County’s fiscal conditions — limited commercial and industrial tax base and constrained local revenue growth — as part of its justification for opposing the bills.

The board adopted the resolution as presented and recorded a unanimous roll-call vote.