Labor groups urge Richmond council to extend bargaining over promotions and transfers to all city workers

Several union representatives and city employees urged the Richmond City Council to expand the scope of a proposed change to the city's collective bargaining ordinance so promotions and transfers could be bargained across all bargaining units.

Jeff Bernsen, chief of staff for SEIU Virginia 512, told the council he supported a change to allow bargaining over promotions and transfers but asked that it apply to "all bargaining unit employees in the City of Richmond, not only public safety." Bernsen said promotions and transfers are important workplace matters that affect career advancement and working lives and that equal application would strengthen retention and recruitment.

Speakers Crystal Brown and Felicia Boney raised similar concerns, asking council not to create different standards for different employee groups. Brown cautioned that focusing changes only on police and fire could signal unequal treatment of professions dominated by women and urged council to "vote to protect what we've earned."

Council members said the paper will be formally heard on June 8; no formal amendment or final vote was taken on the ordinance at this meeting. The comments recorded tonight will be part of the public record when the council resumes consideration.