unions | FFXnow

Published February 25, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated February 26, 2026 at 12:50AM

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell presents his Fairfax County casino bill to the House General Laws Committee on Feb. 24, 2026 (via Virginia House of Delegates)

A bill to make Fairfax County eligible for a casino is advancing through the Virginia House of Delegates after undergoing some significant changes from the version passed by the state Senate earlier this month.

The House’s General Laws Committee voted 12-7 yesterday (Tuesday) to send Senate Bill 756, patroned by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34), to the chamber’s appropriations committee. All four delegates representing portions of Fairfax County, including committee chair Del. Paul Krizek (D-16), opposed advancing the legislation.

News

Starbucks workers in Reston and McLean seek to unionize amid strike

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 29, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated December 29, 2025 at 3:30PM

Starbucks at 1438 Chain Bridge Road in McLean (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Workers at two more Starbucks in Fairfax County could unionize, as a labor strike continues in response to stalled contract negotiations.

Petitions for union elections were filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) last Tuesday (Dec. 23) by 14 employees at the Plaza America cafe in Reston (11610-A Plaza America Drive) and 17 at the location at 1438 Chain Bridge Road in McLean.

Countywide

Fairfax County leaders approve labor contract for government workers

By Nolan Stout

Published December 11, 2025 at 3:45PM

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors votes on resolution to comply with collective bargaining agreement with general county employees on Dec. 9, 2025 (screenshot via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County has committed to funding its responsibilities to employees under a collective bargaining agreement.

At its meeting on Tuesday (Dec. 9), the Board of Supervisors voted 8-1 to approve a resolution committing to funding obligations under the agreement with the Fairfax County Government Employees Union.

News

Merrifield Starbucks workers begin picketing as nationwide strike continues

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 4, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated December 5, 2025 at 10:11AM

Merrifield Starbucks workers on strike (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Workers at Fairfax County’s first unionized Starbucks are officially on strike as part of a nationwide campaign to secure a contract from the coffee chain.

The Starbucks at 3046 Gatehouse Plaza in Merrifield was one of 26 stores around the U.S. to join the picket line today (Thursday), bringing the total number of participants in the nearly month-long strike up to approximately 3,000 baristas at over 145 cafes in more than 105 cities, Starbucks Workers United says.

Countywide

UPDATED: Fairfax County workers ratify first labor agreement in decades

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 20, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated October 27, 2025 at 10:16AM

The entrance to the Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Update — Members of SEIU Local 512’s Fairfax County chapter officially ratified their collective bargaining agreement on Friday, Oct. 24 by a 99.9% vote, the union announced.

If approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the three-year contract will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Countywide

Federal workers endure financial strain and fear layoffs as the government shutdown drags on

By Associated Press

Published October 15, 2025 at 12:45PM

A sign that reads "Closed due to federal government shutdown" outside of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, Oct. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

By FATIMA HUSSEIN, JOEY CAPPELLETTI, JESSE BEDAYN and SAFIYAH RIDDLE Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — With every passing day of the government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed or working without pay face mounting financial strain. And now they are confronting new uncertainty with the Trump administration’s promised layoffs.

News

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

By Angela Woolsey

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.

Countywide

Fairfax County government workers vote to unionize in contentious election

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 21, 2025 at 2:45PM

SEIU Virginia 512 has been elected as the exclusive collective bargaining agent for Fairfax County government workers (courtesy SEIU Virginia 512)

A long-coming, sometimes bitter battle over the right to represent thousands of Fairfax County government workers ended in victory last week for one union, even as another cried foul over the election process and results.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local Virginia 512 announced last Friday (May 16) that county government workers have elected it as their exclusive bargaining unit for future contract negotiations after the largest organizing push among general government employees in Virginia history.

Countywide

Pay raises, staffing reduced as FCPS scrambles to balance budget

By Scott McCaffrey

Published May 13, 2025 at 10:05AM

Superintendent Michelle Reid (staff file photo by James Jarvis)

Fairfax County Public Schools staff will receive most, but not all, of their planned salary increases under a revised fiscal year 2026 budget proposal shared last week by Superintendent Michelle Reid.

However, in order to preserve as much of the promised raises as possible, some positions and services will be cut after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors declined to approve Reid’s full funding request.

Countywide

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.