Collective Bargining For LCPS Staff Approved By Loudoun County School Board

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Collective bargaining will soon be allowed for teachers and select other Loudoun County Public Schools employees.

On Tuesday, the Loudoun County School Board voted to approve a collective bargaining ordinance setting procedures for the process. Under the ordinance, bargaining units may choose a union to exclusively represent them in collective bargaining negotiations with LCPS. A union must hold an election and receive a majority of votes from bargaining unit employees. A labor relations professional would serve as a third party during the process.

"This was a long process, and in the end the Board authorized a resolution providing for collective bargaining," said School Board Chair and Dulles District's Melinda Mansfield. "I’m confident we came away with a strong foundation to ensure the Board is hearing all voices when it comes to our amazing workforce."

The bargaining units allowed to participate in the collective bargaining process are certified employees and non-certified employees, excluding administrative employees, confidential employees, temporary employees, athletic coaches, interns and volunteers.

Under the ordinance, collective bargaining must begin by April 15 and end by Dec. 1 when an agreement is sought for the next year's fiscal year budget. Wages, benefits and working conditions may be negotiated for the agreement.

The Loudoun Education Association pushed for the collective bargaining ordinance and will seek to be the exclusive collective bargaining representative. Loudoun Now reported that the union could seek an election for representation in the fall.

"As a result of the perseverance and advocacy of Loudoun Education Association members and allies, the Loudoun County School Board made history [Tuesday] by passing its Collective Bargaining resolution," said Loudoun Education Association president Kris Countryman in a statement. "Their vote demonstrated a commitment to employees who will now have a voice in their work."

One or more organizations may petition for an election. An election will be held if the organization provides "sufficient evidence of interest" from the bargaining unit employees. The exclusive bargaining representative will negotiate an agreement with LCPS, and the School Board must approve the agreement before it can become effective. The agreement is also contingent upon sufficient funds allocated by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.

The collective bargaining ordinance received a 6-3 approval from the School Board. Opposed members were Leesburg District's Lauren Shernoff, Ashburn District's Deana Griffiths and Catoctin District's Kari LaBell.

Shernoff attempted to introduce several amendments, including rules about holding union meetings at LCPS facilities and having Loudoun Education Association do another outreach asking teachers if they wanted the union as the exclusive bargaining representative, Loudoun Now reported. Those measures did not pass. Another motion by at-large representative Anne Donohue would have granted union access to LCPS facilities without making a request, but that motion failed.

Griffiths argued School Board members who received campaign contributions from the Loudoun Education Association had a conflict of interest in the vote, WJLA reported.

The School Board issued a statement indicating conflict of interest claims were "unfounded." The statement said the School Board did not have a violation of Policy 2160, which would involve a promise of money in exchange for voting a certain way. The board also indicated the adopted ordinance did not involve an agreement with an organization or payment of money.

"We affirm that no such quid pro quo arrangement has taken place," the board's statement said. "Each Board member’s decision-making process was based solely on their respective perspective on the merits of the resolution and its alignment with the best interests of our school community."