September 14, 2020 News & Press Releases

Democratic Party of Virginia staff announce successful unionization efforts


by Democratic Party of Virginia

Richmond, VA — Democratic Party of Virginia workers have successfully unionized and will be represented by two separate local chapters, an unprecedented step for labor organizing in Virginia politics. The Democratic Party of Virginia has successfully ratified a union contract with coordinated campaign staff and recognized the bargaining unit representing DPVA office staff that will begin contract negotiations shortly. The coordinated campaign staff - a unit of 52workers - are represented by IBEW Local 666. The 8 DPVA office staff are represented by UFCW Local 400. 

"Campaign workers and staff at DPVA have spent years working to elect pro-worker candidates who fight for organized labor. It's only right that we as a party live up to our values and recognize the right to join a union. Organizing campaign and political party staff is a new frontier for the labor movement, and we're proud that Virginia can set an example," said DPVA Chair Susan Swecker.  

"There is a national movement of campaign workers seeking representation and a voice in their workplace and Virginia workers are leaders in that effort. At Local 666 we are proud to be one of many locals in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers representing campaign workers. We recently finalized a contract with the DPVA and are proud to announce that over Labor Day weekend the Coordinated Campaign workers voted overwhelmingly to ratify the agreement," said Charles Skelly, IBEW 666 Business Manager.  

“I would first like to congratulate the coordinated campaign staff on forming a union and successfully negotiating a first contract with our brothers and sisters at IBEW,” said UFCW Local 400 President Mark Federici. “Likewise, I couldn’t be more proud of our new members among the office staff of the Democratic Party of Virginia. All workers deserve the benefits and protections of a union, and we are proud to be part of the latest development in the growing movement to organize political and campaign workers. We look forward to negotiating a strong new contract that recognizes the commitment and hard work of the office staff.”

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