Richmond Firefighters Association I.A.F.F. Local 995

06/06/2026

Today we honor one of our own, Brother Len Archer

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 🙏 This , we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country.

Their sacrifice secured the freedoms we enjoy today – and it will never be forgotten.

05/16/2026

Disappointment for our members in Richmond and across the entire state is an understatement. The fight is not over though, and these actions will not be forgotten.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has vetoed legislation to expand collective bargaining to public workers – including fire fighters and emergency medical

05/11/2026

Your ability to bargain should not depend on where you live. Sign the bill!

Senate Majority Leader Scott A. Surovell and I are calling on Governor Spanberger to sign Senate Bill 378 and House Bill 1263, landmark legislation that would provide over 500,000 public employees throughout Virginia with the right to collectively bargain.

They are the teachers that educate our kids, the home care workers that assist our loved ones, the firefighters that protect our communities, and the workers that coordinate services for the most vulnerable amongst us.

Virginia's ban on public sector collective bargaining has roots in our Jim Crow past. It's time to turn the page and move Virginia forward.

Virginia AFL-CIO SEIU Virginia State Council SEIU Virginia 512 32BJ SEIU Virginia Education Association Virginia Professional Fire Fighters Fairfax County Professional Firefighters, Paramedics & 911 Dispatchers UNITE HERE Local 25 AFSCME Communications Workers of America

05/04/2026

🔥

Recognizing the work fire fighters do every day – on the fire ground and in their communities.

05/04/2026

Virginia Firefighters are asking Gov. Abigail Spanberger to SIGN THE BILL! Collective bargaining for all Virginia firefighters is within our grasp. SB378 and HB1263 passed the General Assembly after much consideration and negotiation, and with the support of workers across the Commonwealth.

The effort, misinformation and fear-mongering of localities and their lobbying firms against collective bargaining is reason enough to demonstrate the need for it. On behalf of all Virginia firefighters, we are asking the Governor of Virginia to respect the will of the General Assembly and support the workers of Virginia, not those who wish to silence our voice.

Virginia AFL-CIO
Scott A. Surovell
Delegate Kathy Tran
International Association of Fire Fighters

04/30/2026

We are disappointed by the comments of Mayor Avula regarding the state of collective bargaining in Richmond. Collective bargaining is one of the single most impactful changes the Richmond Fire Department has ever seen. It has given our members a livable wage, improved work conditions, and a safer working environment.

Since election, Mayor Avula has supported the already negotiated CBA that was in place when he took office. Funding our contract in both of his budgets is something we deeply appreciate, and do not take lightly. We hope today’s comments do not reflect his greater opinion of the future of collective bargaining for the Fire Department and all Richmond employees.

We are also thankful for the continued and unwavering support of City Council for their commitment to uphold collective bargaining since it passed the ordinance in 2022.

04/29/2026

Collective bargaining is not some new, radical concept. It is currently in place in 33 other states across this nation. And many of these states are also “Right to Work” states. Virginia firefighters are simply asking for a seat at the table where important decisions are made about our professional lives.

Collective bargaining is currently enjoyed by workers in the private sector and our fellow firefighters who work for the Federal government. Why should Virginia firefighters’ rights be any different from those in Texas, Florida or our nation’s military installations?

Gov. Abigail Spanberger, when a member of Congress, was a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Public Safety-Employer Employee Cooperation Act. This would have established nationwide collective bargaining rights for firefighters. And her support for collective bargaining rights led us to support her gubernatorial candidacy.

These rights are within the grasp of Virginia’s firefighters. We ask the Governor of Virginia SIGN THIS BILL. Give our members the dignity and respect they deserve.

Abigail Spanberger
Virginia AFL-CIO
Scott A. Surovell
Delegate Kathy Tran
International Association of Fire Fighters

04/27/2026

Councilmember Kenya Gibson understands how important this legislation is. We are proud to have representatives like her on City Council here in Richmond!

Unionized public workers — from teachers and social workers to water plant staff — have consistently exposed critical safety failures and service breakdowns, proving why strong collective bargaining rights are

04/22/2026

Local 995 is lobbying today for the General assembly to send the state wide collective bargaining bill back to the governor in its original form and reject her amendments!