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Collective Bargaining

In May 2021, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that allows counties, cities, towns, and school boards in Virginia to engage in collective bargaining with their employees. To do so, they must adopt an authorizing ordinance or resolution. The School Board has adopted an ordinance, and as a result, FCCPS employees will vote to determine if they wish to have collective bargaining, which also may be referred to as a union. 

Collective bargaining refers to the negotiation process between an employer, such as FCCPS, and a group of employees, known as a bargaining unit, who are represented by a bargaining agent, such as a union or association. This process is focused on determining the terms and conditions of employment.

As permitted by the Falls Church City Public Schools Collective Bargaining Resolution, the Falls Church City Education Association (“FCCEA”) is seeking certification as the Exclusive Bargaining Representative of employees in the Certified Bargaining Unit and the Non-Certified Bargaining Unit. All eligible staff members are encouraged to vote so their voices can be heard. 

The representation elections for the Certified Bargaining Unit and the Non-Certified Bargaining Unit are being conducted online by secret ballot through the BallotPoint Election Services voting system. Votes may be cast between 6 a.m. on Monday, May 22, 2023, and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Voter credentials and voting instructions will be sent to eligible voters via email to their FCCPS email address. The determination of whether staff will or will not be represented by FCCEA for the purposes of collective bargaining will be determined by the majority of those who vote.

If you have any questions, contact Keith Greenberg, the Labor Relations Neutral for this election, at ElectionNeutral@laborarbitration.com.

Discussion & Updates Timeline

March 12, 2024 - Falls Church City School Board approves two Collective Bargaining Agreements with the Falls Church City Education Association (FCCEA), representing both certified and non-certified Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) employees.

February 13, 2024 - Falls Church City School Board reviews proposed Collective Bargaining Agreements with Non-Certified Employee Bargaining Unit and the Certified Employee Bargaining Unit (available here).

June 13, 2023 - Falls Church City School Board recognized the Falls Church City Education Association as the Exclusive Bargaining Representative for collective bargaining for the Non-Certified Employee Bargaining Unit and the Certified Employee Bargaining Unit.

June 5, 2023 - Labor Relations Neutral issues a Final Certification of Exclusive Representative and of Election Results for Non-Certified Employees Bargaining Unit (available here) and 

June 5, 2023 - Labor Relations Neutral issues a Final Certification of Exclusive Representative and of Election Results for Certified Employees Bargaining Unit (available here).  

May 19, 2023 - BallotPoint sends Voting Instructions to FCCPS Employees
Voting Instructions will be sent to your fccps.org email. Information is also posted on the FCCPS Intranet.

May 8, 2023 - Public Notices Posted
Public Notice of Election for Certified Staff
Public Notice of Election for Non-Certified Staff

March 28, 2023 - Special School Board Meeting
Second Reading and Adoption of Collective Bargaining Resolution - Video
Resolution Providing for Collective Bargaining - PDF
News Release

March 14, 2023 - School Board Meeting
First Reading of Collective Bargaining Resolution - Video
FCCPS Collective Bargaining Update Presentation Slides - PDF
Resolution Providing for Collective Bargaining - PDF
Chief Legal Officer - Patricia Minson

February 28, 2023 - School Board Meeting
Budget Amendment and Appropriation Change - Video
Budget Amendment and Appropriation Change - PDF
Chief Operating Office - Kristen Michaels

February 14, 2023 - School Board Meeting
Collective Bargaining Update - Video
School Board Chair - Laura Downs

December 13, 2022 - School Board Meeting
Collective Bargaining Update - Video
School Board Chair - Laura Downs

May 24, 2022 - School Board Meeting
Collective Bargaining Update - Video
School Board Chair - Laura Downs

May 10, 2022 - School Board Meeting
Collective Bargaining Update - Video
School Board Chair - Laura Downs

April 5, 2022 - School Board Meeting
Special Committee was established to develop a draft Resolution Agreement for the Board's consideration - Video

March 22, 2022 - School Board Meeting
Collective Bargaining Q & A Discussion - Video
Chief Legal Officer - Patricia Minson

March 8, 2022 - School Board Meeting
Collective Bargaining Presentation - Video
Cynthia Hudson - Attorney, Sands Anderson