labor | FFXnow

Union, local politicians blast Navy Federal Credit Union for change in contractor

Published June 18, 2025 at 8:30AM

A pick-up truck carries an inflatable rat for 32BJ SEIU's protest of Navy Federal Credit Union (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A giant, inflatable rat towered over Electric Avenue near Navy Federal Credit Union’s Vienna headquarters on Monday (June 16), staring down commuters during the afternoon rush-hour.

Accompanied by whistle blasts and chants of “union busting” and “Navy Federal, shame on you,” the larger-than-life rodent provided an eye-catching centerpiece for a protest organized by the labor union 32BJ SEIU, which alleges that the world’s largest credit union is undermining its janitorial staff by switching to a non-union contractor.

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Union battle to represent Fairfax County government workers heads to court

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 10, 2025 at 9:45AM

SEIU Virginia 512 and other unions rally in support of collective bargaining for Fairfax County government workers on Oct. 5, 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

More than three years after Fairfax County leaders authorized collective bargaining, a majority of the county government’s workers have yet to choose a representative for future contract negotiations.

That could soon change, as one established union gears up for a potential election this month, while a challenger turns to the courts in an effort to halt the vote.

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JUST IN: Union workers to rally in support of possible Tysons casino

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 18, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated December 12, 2024 at 10:37AM

State Sen. Dave Marsden (D-35) presents his bill to make Fairfax County eligible for a casino to the Senate's gaming subcommittee on Jan. 24, 2024 with union workers in attendance (via Virginia Senate livestream)

A battle is brewing once again over the prospect of a casino in Fairfax County.

As opponents continue to organize, including under a No Fairfax Casino Coalition that mostly consists of homeowners’ and citizen associations, several labor unions have now come out in support of the casino and entertainment district envisioned in Tysons by the developer Comstock Companies.

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Fairfax County to test first labor agreement with Accotink pump station rehabilitation

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 17, 2024 at 10:15AM

The Accotink Wastewater Pump Station is slated for major rehabilitation (courtesy Fairfax County DPWES)

Fairfax County will break ground this month on a major rehabilitation of its Accotink Wastewater Pump Station.

The county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services approved a $71 million construction contract on July 3 that included the first-ever Project Labor Agreement (PLA) administered by a local government in Virginia, according to a press release.

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Fairfax County Public Schools workers vote to officially unionize

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 11, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated June 11, 2024 at 9:58AM

Fairfax County Public Schools workers wear Fairfax Education Unions T-shirts after electing FEU as their collective bargaining representative (courtesy Fairfax County Federation of Teachers)

Fairfax County Public Schools teachers and other workers have elected a union to represent them in forthcoming labor contract negotiations.

The Fairfax Education Unions (FEU), a team-up of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT) and the Fairfax Education Association (FEA), announced yesterday (Monday) that it will represent over 27,500 FCPS employees in their first collective bargaining effort since they secured that right in March 2023.

News

Potomac Yard developer blames Tysons talk for failure of pro sports arena deal

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 28, 2024 at 11:00AM

A rendering of Monumental's proposed sports arena in Alexandria's Potomac Yard (courtesy JBG Smith)

The deal to bring the Washington Capitals and Wizards to Alexandria’s Potomac Yard is officially dead, and the developer says suggestions that an arena could be built in Tysons instead were the final nail in the coffin.

Alexandria City officials revealed yesterday (Wednesday) that they had ended negotiations with developer JBG Smith, Wizards and Capitals owner Monumental Sports & Entertainment, and other stakeholders for a stadium in the proposed Potomac Yard Entertainment District. About an hour later, Monumental owner Ted Leonsis and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the two professional sports teams will stay at Capital One Arena in Chinatown after all.

News

Springfield Jersey Mike’s among franchises cited for breaking child labor laws

By Inside NoVA

Published March 21, 2024 at 11:45AM

Jersey Mike's Subs at Old Keene Mill Shopping Center in West Springfield (via Google Maps)

U.S. Department of Labor investigations at four Northern Virginia Jersey Mike’s franchise locations have found the operator allowed more than a dozen employees under the age of 16 to perform dangerous tasks and work longer than permitted hours.

The department’s Wage and Hour Division determined that JM Burke LLC — the Charleston, South Carolina-based operator — violated the Fair Labor Standards Act at locations in Ashburn, South Riding, Springfield and Sterling, according to an agency news release.

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UPDATED: Fairfax Connector strike ends as union members approve new contract

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 5, 2024 at 8:40PM | Updated March 6, 2024 at 9:47PM

Fairfax Connector workers represented by ATU Local 689 strike outside the West Ox Bus Facility (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Updated at 9:45 p.m. on 3/6/2024 — Fairfax Connector workers with ATU Local 689 voted today (Wednesday) to ratify a new contract with bus operator Transdev, ending a 15-day strike, the union announced.

The bus system will officially resume service on Friday (March 8), according to Transdev and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation.

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Poll: Have you been affected by the lack of Fairfax Connector service?

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2024 at 9:30AM | Updated February 27, 2024 at 10:32AM

Fairfax Connector buses parked at the West Ox Bus Facility (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 10:30 a.m.) Fairfax Connector is now in its sixth consecutive day without service, as workers continue their strike for better pay, benefits and working conditions.

More than 600 bus drivers and mechanics ceased working last Thursday (Feb. 22) when their union — Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 — called for a strike after months of negotiations with Transdev, the private company that operates Fairfax Connector, for a new labor contract to replace one that expired on Nov. 30.

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Striking Fairfax Connector workers demand better benefits and support from contractor

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 23, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated February 23, 2024 at 3:54PM

Fairfax Connector workers represented by ATU Local 689 are on strike (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Updated at 3:55 p.m. — Fairfax Connector service will stay suspended at least through this weekend (Feb. 24-25) as drivers and mechanics continue their strike, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation has announced.

FCDOT says it “expects negotiations to continue in good faith with the goal of completing a new contract very soon.”