Fairfax County Firefighters Union Seeks To Be Collective Bargaining Rep

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — An International Association of Fire Fighters union is seeking to become the collective bargaining representative for fire and rescue employees in Fairfax County.

IAFF Local 2068, which represents approximately 1,500 firefighters, fire marshals, apparatus mechanics and medics in the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, is holding an election for representation. If approved, the union would be involved in collective bargaining negotiations with Fairfax County government beginning next spring.

The election for representation started Monday and will continue through Oct. 31. The election is being conducted electronically through BallotPoint.

"Our department is filled with intelligent, highly qualified and highly trained people — we’re first responders who love our jobs, love serving the Fairfax community, and want to continue to ensure that we are providing the best fire and medical emergency services possible," said Robert Young, president of IAFF Local 2068, in a statement. "Bargaining allows us to do just that, while also ensuring that the concerns of our members and our community are heard and treated equitably."

Collective bargaining in Virginia localities had been paused since 1977, when a Virginia Supreme Court ruling stopped local governments from collective bargaining with their employees. But a Virginia law that took effect on May 1, 2021 changed that, allowing counties, cities and towns to adopt ordinances to recognize labor unions or employee associations as a bargaining unit and enter into collective bargaining.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors granted county employees collective bargaining rights with an ordinance approved in October 2021. Fairfax County, which is the most populous county in Virginia, joins the largest locality in the Commonwealth, joins Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Loudoun County and City of Richmond in passing local collective bargaining ordinances.