W.Va. Senate mulls collective bargaining bill

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia would recognize state employee unions and allow collective bargaining under a Senate bill, a measure Gov. Joe Manchin says he's open to discussing.
According to the AFL-CIO, West Virginia is almost unique among states without so-called "right to work'' laws that prohibit collective bargaining for state workers. Of 28 such states, only Colorado has a similar prohibition.


The Senate bill, introduced Tuesday, would let unions negotiate contracts for state workers. Currently, workers can join unions, but the state doesn't bargain with them.

Manchin spokesman Matt Turner says the governor supports any measure that promotes best practices in government, and wants to hear the arguments for and against collective bargaining.


CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia would recognize state employee unions and allow collective bargaining under a Senate bill, a measure Gov. Joe Manchin says he's open to discussing.
According to the AFL-CIO, West Virginia is almost unique among states without so-called "right to work'' laws that prohibit collective bargaining for state workers. Of 28 such states, only Colorado has a similar prohibition.
The Senate bill, introduced Tuesday, would let unions negotiate contracts for state workers. Currently, workers can join unions, but the state doesn't bargain with them.
Manchin spokesman Matt Turner says the governor supports any measure that promotes best practices in government, and wants to hear the arguments for and against collective bargaining.