FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
July 27, 2024 

City of Alexandria Administrative and Clerical Workers File for Union Election 

This group aims to be the latest union for public employees in the region 

ALEXANDRIA – On Friday, city workers in Alexandria officially filed for a union election with the city’s labor relations administrator. The group of administrative and clerical workers are seeking better wages, benefits, and a voice on the job. Workers are looking to join AFSCME Council 20, and affiliate of American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the largest union for public service workers in the country. 

“This is such an important day for everyone in Alexandria, not just city employees” said Teresa Smith-Ross, a city employee for 27 years. “We give of ourselves and make personal sacrifices to do our jobs. That’s why we must advocate for ourselves to ensure that our voices are heard and our concerns are addressed. We are here because we care for the city and each other!” 

She also says this day has been years in the making. “A lot of hard work has gone into making this happen. People have been working towards this for a long time.” 

 In 2020, public service workers all over Virginia came together and successfully organized to overturn a 44-year-old law that banned public sector collective bargaining in the commonwealth. Then, in 2022, labor and trades employees in Alexandria voted overwhelmingly to unionize with AFSCME. Last year, they reached a historic first contract with the city that guaranteed raises and established a step-and-grade pay schedule, among other victories. 

Department of Emergency and Customer Service employee, Emerita Valentin said that the labor and trades contract activated support in other departments. “I think when people saw the contract labor and trades got, they really began to see how a union really changes things.” Valentin dsaid. “We’ve been advocating for changes for years, but until you have a seat at the table, your voice can be ignored. That’s why we’re doing this. We deserve to have our voice heard.” 

Now, workers will focus on winning their union election, which they’re confident they will win.

“It just comes down to dignity and respect. I’ve talked with countless of my coworkers and we all want that, no matter who you are,” Valentin said. “That’s why we’re going to win.” 

In a statement AFSCME Council 20 Executive Director Wayne L. Enoch said the following: 

“For many years, unions in local governments were unheard of in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Now, we have a movement building. We are overjoyed that Administrative and Clerical workers in the City of Alexandria have filed for election and look forward to them winning a voice on the job!”