Newport News employees now have the right to bargain collectively.

The City has adopted a collective bargaining ordinance. Starting January 1, 2028, eligible City employees can choose a representative and negotiate with the City over pay, benefits, and working conditions.

That's a real change, and it's worth understanding. The law opens a door, but walking through it involves a process, with deadlines and decisions that start well before 2028.

Sign up for updates. You'll get the timeline as it moves, answers on who's covered and how a group gets to the bargaining table, and a reminder ahead of the dates that matter.