Right now, local governments in Virginia can decide whether or not to allow city employees to unionize.
But a state law could make unions for public employees automatic, even as some cities such as Newport News decide if or how to allow such unions.
Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones told WAVY News earlier this year that collective bargaining would be put to a vote. He said that the power to collectively bargain is something that should be decided at the local level and not be taken by a state mandate…