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Alexandria Police to get significant raise after reaching collective bargaining agreement

Published November 23, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated November 30, 2022 at 12:54PM

Mayor Justin Wilson (on right) shakes hands with Damon Minnix, president of the Alexandria chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, after coming to a collective bargaining agreement on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (Via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement with the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, ushering in a new era of collaboration with city employees.

If likely approved in the fiscal year 2024 budget this May, the agreement means substantial pay increases for new officers, sergeants and lieutenants. The current base salary of $54,698 for an officer would be increased by 11% to $61,503 at the beginning of the next fiscal year, July 1, 2023. After next year, salaries for officers would increase 2% annually.

Alexandria reporter tackles the anti-unionization and anti-integration legacy of The Byrd Machine

By Vernon Miles

Published October 11, 2022 at 3:50PM | Updated October 11, 2022 at 6:08PM

Years before Alexandria would grapple with collective bargaining and the legacy of discrimination in schools, Virginia was ruled by a political faction dead-set on fighting unionization and integration.

Alexandria reporter Michael Lee Pope — a reporter with the Alexandria Gazette who has frequently covered Virginia’s state politics for WAMU — announced a new book last week that dives into the history of The Byrd Machine, a political operation led by Harry Byrd that dominated Virginia politics during the mid-20th century.

Alexandria public sector workers vote to unionize

By Vernon Miles

Published October 6, 2022 at 2:45PM

Alexandria workers post-unionization (image via AFSCME)

Nearly 200 Alexandria workers hopped onto a wave of unionization in Virginia following a new law allowing collective bargaining.

In an election held by mail, the City of Alexandria Labor and Trades Bargaining unit voted to select the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 20 Local 3001 as their union representative, AFSCME said in a release