Following the unanimous vote on Monday, June 22, Mayor Danny Avula expressed his thanks to City Council and labor partners for their collaboration in approving updates to the City’s collective bargaining ordinance, reaffirming the City's commitment to a fair, transparent, and effective bargaining process for City employees.  

“Building a thriving City Hall that meets community needs and delivers results starts with investing in the people who keep Richmond running every day,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “I’m grateful to our labor partners, City Council, and all those who helped shape and advance these amendments. Collective bargaining has strengthened our workforce and helped us better serve residents. Tonight’s vote reinforces Richmond’s commitment to supporting City employees and building a stronger City for everyone." 

“I’m proud of the updates we passed tonight to strengthen Richmond’s collective bargaining ordinance. These amendments are the result of teamwork – City Council together with our partners in Labor and the Administration all had a hand in tonight’s legislation. Richmond is committed to continuing to lead in public sector collective bargaining and this legislation is proof of our continued work together to strengthen our workforce and ensure best in class city services,” said Councilmember Stephanie Lynch, 5th Voter District.  

“The updates passed tonight to Richmond’s CBO build on our work over the past few years and reaffirm and clarify how the voices of our members will be part of the conversation for the next round of collective bargaining in Richmond,” said Keith Andes, President of the Richmond Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 995.  

"SEIU is grateful for the diligent work behind the amendments adopted tonight. The ordinance adopted reflects what we all understood from the beginning: collective bargaining works best when workers have consistent rights and processes," said Lanoral Thomas, SEIU Local 512. 

“Today’s vote is a unique opportunity to demonstrate what good government looks like,” said Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II. “Continuous quality improvement starts with investing in our workforce and living out our commitment to put people first, always. Everyone who works for the City deserves fair pay for a hard day's work.”