Alexandria City Council Votes to Commit Funding for Collective Bargaining Agreement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 23, 2022

CONTACT:
City of Alexandria Media Relations
Jacqueline Woodbridge, 703.746.3944
Police Benevolent Association, Alexandria Chapter
Sean McGowen, SSPBA Executive Director, 703.501.1283
Damon Minnix, SSPBA President of Alexandria Chapter, 540.848.5882

Alexandria City Council Votes to Commit Funding for Collective Bargaining Agreement

Alexandria City Council members voted unanimously voted to support the funding necessary in the upcoming budget to fully implement the historic agreement between the City of Alexandria and the Southern States Police Benevolent Association (SSPBA). This is the first agreement in Virginia reached under the bargaining provision that became effective in March 2021.

"This is an exciting step, and an historic step." Mayor Justin Wilson said. "When we adopted this ordinance, we did so because providing a voice for employees [is] important. [Through the bargaining process], we came to a place that was mutually agreeable - one that moves the needle forward and recognizes officers' greatly valued work for our community and recognizing we are all in this together."

Negotiations between the City and the SSPBA started in early spring. Union membership ratified the proposed agreement a week ahead of Council's vote. City Manager Jim Parajon, alongside SSPBA President Damon Minnix, signed the agreement after Council's vote.

"This agreement recognizes the valued contribution of the police to our community," City Manager Jim Parajon said. "It is a testament to the leadership of the Council in taking on the concept of fair and collective bargaining for our units."

"We took the historic step as the first police agency in Virginia since the 1970s to deliver this milestone under the new Virginia law," Damon Minnix, President of Alexandria Chapter of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association said. "This agreement puts the City in a far better place, and sets the foundation we have needed for decades to have a meaningful and legitimate process to voice our concerns."

Agreement highlights include:

• Effective date July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026
• Competitive, market-based wage increases and merit raises tied to performance
• Specialty pay for positions that require special training or experience
• Creation of a labor-management partnership for training access
• Formation of union committee

The new agreement will better position APD's recruitment by:

• Establishing higher wages for new officers, with further increases scheduled throughout the length of the agreement
• Enabling police officers in other localities to transfer to APD, with their experience being compensated at market rate
• Codifying a clear a promotional process for those interested in advancing in the APD ranks

View the collective bargaining agreement.

Watch the legislative meeting.

Photos and video of the ceremonial signing and remarks is available upon request.

# # #

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.