THE DEMISE OF SCHOOL BOARD COLLECTIVE BARGAINING: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, 1976-7

DIANE D. HENDERSON

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DOI: 10.2190/N2A1-VYUD-RNHF-KGFN

Abstract

In January 1977 the Virginia Supreme Court ruled local governing bodies in the commonwealth did not have the power to enter into collective agreements with public employee groups. There being no issues of rights denied under the U.S. Constitution, no appeal to federal courts was possible. This paper traces the background of the lawsuit, with special emphasis on the aftereffects of the decision on the Arlington School Board's organized employees. The author, who served as school board chairman during the litigation, recommends that the board and its employees work to strengthen and improve the substitute system of advisory committees, because the passage of permissive legislation is most unlikely, due to the composition of the Virginia General Assembly and the state's attitude toward organized labor.

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