Members of labor groups rallied Wednesday (March 25) in support of plans by Comstock Companies to develop an entertainment complex anchored by a casino in Tysons.
“Fairfax residents deserve to have good jobs,” said Emebet Samuel Kassa of UNITE HERE Local 25, which represents unionized hotel, restaurant and casino workers across the area.
Speaking at the former auto dealership site near the Spring Hill Metro station that Comstock is reportedly targeting, Kassa predicted the development “would be completely transformative” for the area if it moves forward.
The rally, which drew about 60 participants from an array of labor organizations, was organized by the We Are Fairfax Coalition. It was part of that group’s effort to convince Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) to sign legislation allowing a casino in Tysons if Fairfax County residents support it in a referendum.
To gain support for the planned development, Comstock agreed to work with labor unions to provide about 2,000 construction jobs, followed by approximately 3,000 service positions when the complex is operational.
“Any job can be a good job with the union,” said Maria Zuraya Silva, an electrician for the past 18 years and member of IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 26.
With a unionized position, “I have been able to afford to live in this beautiful county,” said Silva, whose husband also is a unionized electrician.
Nelson Aguilar, a unionized carpenter, said union jobs represent a “path to the middle class.”
“The union gives us a voice on the job and protects our rights,” he said.
In addition to UNITE HERE and IBEW, organizations taking part in the rally included Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 10, LiUNA!, IUPAT DC 51, Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades Association, Operating Engineers Locals 77 and 99, Virginia Building Trades Council, IATSE Local 22, SMART Local 100, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Baltimore DC Building Trades Council, 32BJ SEIU, UFCW Local 400, the Northern Virginia Labor Federation AFL-CIO and the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers.
Since the General Assembly concluded its regular 2026 legislative session on March 14, supporters and opponents of Comstock’s proposal have been lobbying Spanberger on a bill patroned by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) that would permit a referendum to allow casino gambling in Fairfax County.
While labor groups support the proposal, many civic organizations oppose it. Opposition also seems to have solidified among some members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, who recently denounced Surovell and other state legislators from Fairfax who voted in favor of the bill.
Spanberger, who was elected last November, has three options: sign the bill, veto it or offer recommendations to change it. Surovell’s measure passed without the votes necessary to override a potential veto.
The labor organizations have signed on to a six-page, single-spaced letter sent to Spanberger in support of the bill. It was submitted by Virginia Diamond, president of the Northern Virginia Labor Federation of the AFL-CIO.
“Once the advocates for this project have been given an opportunity to explain the revenues, jobs, quality-of-life improvements and other benefits … it will be supported by people of Fairfax County,” Diamond’s letter argues.
While the casino portion of the approximately billion-dollar proposal has generated controversy, Comstock also plans to include a hotel, convention center, concert hall, housing and retail/dining options on the currently barren site. Under Surovell’s bill, the development must be at least 1.5 million square feet in size.
Proponents estimate that Fairfax County tax coffers would receive nearly $150 million in new tax revenue, with the state government receiving between $56 million and $110 million annually.
Critics say the extra tax revenue would come at the expense of traffic, safety and other quality-of-life impacts. A draft study commissioned by Fairfax County last year also projected more modest revenue benefits for both local and state governments than the amounts casino supporters have touted.
Surovell’s measure does not formally designate the Leesburg Pike site as the location of a casino, nor does it specifically designate Comstock Companies and their partners as the future operator. But the limitations in the legislation on where the site could be located in Fairfax County make the Comstock parcel a strong contender.
If the legislation is signed, the Board of Supervisors would be tasked with identifying a preferred operator for the casino and ordering a referendum allowing voters to decide whether to permit the development.
