On Monday, Richmond City Council approved a series of collective bargaining agreements with several key unions.

This move establishes Richmond as the southernmost locality in Virginia to adopt collective bargaining for its employees.

The agreements were made with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) 995, the Richmond Coalition of Police (RCOP), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

The city has formally established five bargaining units: Police, represented by RCOP; Fire and Emergency Services, represented by IAFF 995; Administration and Technical, represented by SEIU; Professional, represented by SEIU; and Labor and Trades, represented by The Teamsters.

While agreements for the Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and Administration and Technical units have been finalized, negotiations for the Professional and Labor and Trades units will commence in the coming weeks.

This development underscores Richmond’s commitment to fostering positive labor relations and recognizing the contributions of its employees, according to a statement from the Office of Council Chief of Staff.

Councilmember Reva M. Trammell, who was an advocate for the collective bargaining ordinances, emphasized the significance of these agreements. She noted the approval acknowledges the vital role all city staff play in maintaining Richmond. Council President Kristen M. Nye, who co-led the collective bargaining efforts, expressed pride in Richmond’s progress, highlighting the city’s role as a leader in public sector collective bargaining in the Commonwealth.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney also celebrated the council’s decision. He remarked on his early advocacy for municipalities in Virginia to have the authority to pursue collective bargaining, expressing pride in the progress made since 2020.

Over the next three years, the City of Richmond has committed $29 million for Fire, Emergency Services, and Emergency Communications, $34 million for Police, and $20 million for Administrative and Technical Employees.

In the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, $9.1 million has been allocated to raise pay for police officers, firefighters, and emergency services employees, $3 million for administrative and technical employees, and $3 million to provide a 4% salary increase to all City employees. An additional $2 million has been designated for targeted pay increases for positions identified as below market rate.