I spent the past week trying to figure out where this fall’s Republican ticket stands on labor issues and workers’ rights — topics that feel particularly salient as Virginia’s economy flashes warning signs.
Virginia was the only state in the country where unemployment rose in June, with unemployment rates in Arlington and Fairfax counties also reaching four-year highs the month prior. The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce recently said the region is facing an "unprecedented crisis.”
The GOP candidates have largely applauded the Trump administration actions that have fueled the economic stress in Virginia and cost thousands of people their jobs, even as they understand doing so is unpopular. And, as is par for the course for many conservatives, these candidates are opposed to expanding collective bargaining rights.
Gubernatorial nominee and current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and John Reid, who is running to replace her, are staunch supporters of anti-union “right-to-work” laws. Attorney General Jason Miyares, who is running for re-election, never got back to me, but he’s defended the anti-union policy, too.
Nevertheless, the Republican slate has tried to claim the mantle of being pro-business and pro-worker.
Reid responded to my post on X asking what it would mean for Virginia workers if he and his running mates win in the fall by claiming that “Virginia’s workforce is in danger if we lose.” In addition to vowing to protect “right-to-work” laws, he also said he’d cut “red tape for small biz & trades” and “fight job-killing energy mandates.” He expressed vague support for parental leave and “flex work” to support “family stability,” but didn’t offer more detail beyond what he posted on X and did not respond to an email following up on his post.
Local labor leaders aren’t buying the pro-worker rhetoric from Virginia Republicans, given their record of blocking polices aimed at expanding the rights of workers.
Jaime Contreras, chair of the SEIU State Council of Virginia, told me the union is focused on expanding collective bargaining rights for public employees and home care workers, passing local laws that protect property services workers’ jobs, and raising the minimum wage.
Bills backing these policies have passed out of the General Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats, but were vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
For Contreras, it’s not hard to imagine where Earle-Sears stands on these issues.
“I have no reason to believe that Winsome Sears would sign any of those (pieces of legislation),” Contreras said. “She's more extreme than (Youngkin) is.”
