By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square(The Center Square) – A new Virginia bill would repeal the right-to-work law, marking one of the first major proposals filed ahead of the 2026 General Assembly session.
Senate Bill 32, filed by Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, would strike Article 3 of Chapter 4 of Title 40.1 of the Code of Virginia, the section of law that bars employers from requiring workers to join a labor union as a condition of employment. The statute also prohibits agreements that deny someone the right to work for refusing to join a union or pay union fees.
Repealing that article would remove the legal protections that prevent mandatory union membership in most workplaces. Virginia has had a right-to-work statute on the books since 1947. The commonwealth is one of over 20 states with a right-to-work law.
Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger has said she does not support fully repealing the law. The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from her.
Republican leaders responded Wednesday to SB32, saying the repeal could raise costs for families and local governments if collective bargaining expands. Senate Republican Leader Ryan McDougle said Democrats were “already reaching into your paycheck” by reopening the right-to-work debate.
Carroll Foy spoke about her bill in a social media post Wednesday, saying the proposal is aimed at lowering costs and strengthening worker protections.
“I understand that the governor-elect has stated where she stands when it comes to signing a repeal of Virginia’s so-called right to work statute,” she wrote. “I have filed this bill to make sure that we engage and move on all areas where we can lower costs for Virginia families and protect the rights and opportunities of Virginia workers.”
Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Mark Obenshain said the measure would ultimately burden taxpayers.
“Make no mistake, this is not about protecting workers, it is about paying off union bosses with your tax dollars,” he said.