RICHMOND, VA – Last Monday, Richmond city workers, joined by their union representative SEIU Virginia 512, joined together at the steps of the City Hall Building to celebrate the implementation of a historic contract that will provide new protections and benefits. Also in attendance was Councilmember Lambert, Councilmember Trammell, as well as Levar Stoney, the Mayor of the city of Richmond, who shared a rousing speech to celebrate the contract’s implementation.

The contract includes benefits that improve the working environment of Richmond city workers through methods such as the creation of several labor-management committees, improvements to existing grievance processes, seventeen days of paid time off annually, clarified health and safety standards, processes for improved transparency into the promotion, improved training processes, and guaranteed raises for workers for the next three years.

Speakers and attendees of the press conference were “fired up,” and had plenty to say.

“Today, I want to say thank you to SEIU [Virginia 512] for representing the best employees in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Today marks the end of begging for employees of the city of Richmond. We are the city that we are today because we recognize that investing in city employees is the best way to do business in the city. I’m grateful that we have a partnership that is enshrined in black and white, but I recognize that we all have to live up to the words that are on this paper,” Levar Stoney, Mayor of the City of Richmond, said.

“When we fight, we win! Congratulations again to all of the fantastic members of SEIU Virginia 512 who have fought hard to win this moment,”. LaNoral Thomas, President of SEIU Virginia 512, said.

“We are here today because we decided we all need a say in the decisions that impact us each day. We are here because we know the city cannot function without our work and expertise. City residents deserve the best services. But city employees deserve to work in an environment where our work is valued, and we can go home without feeling defeated, stressed and exhausted because we are overworked and underpaid. Today, a new day begins for the city of Richmond. We are a force to be reckoned with!” Cathy Bruce, secretary of the Richmond City Chapter of SEIU Virginia 512, said.

“Now that city workers are given the tools they need to succeed and thrive in the workplace, we can best serve our residents. Having the training and resources we need to solve problems means that we can retain our workforce – which leads to benefits such as reduced wait time, faster processing time, and much more so that we can best meet the needs of our beloved Richmond City residents and businesses. When workers win, we all win!,” Felicia Boney, Chapter Chair of the Richmond City Chapter of SEIU Virginia 512, said.

Richmond city workers united in SEIU Virginia 512 express hopes that cities and counties across the Commonwealth, and eventually the nation, will follow suit and implement contracts that ensure that workers are respected, protected, and paid.

Click here to watch the recording of the moving press conference.

For all media inquiries, please contact ariel.cassell@sieuva.org.