New federal data shows more Virginia workers are becoming union members, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating about 204,000 workers in the state are paying union dues.

The increase marks a rebound in Virginia union membership after a decline earlier in the decade. It also reflects a broader regional trend: Labor unions added 166,000 workers in 13 Southern states in 2025.

Kayla Mock, political and legislative director for the United Food and Commercial Workers union Local 400, said organizing efforts across Virginia have helped boost union membership.

“We have amazing unions organizing all across the state in different industries,” Mock stated. “Our Virginia AFL-CIO, which is the federation that we all belong to, has also been doing some incredible work uplifting that organizing effort.”

Union density remains lower in the South than nationally. About 5% of workers in Southern states belong to a union, compared with a national average of nearly 13%.

The growth comes as an Economic Policy Institute study found U.S. companies are spending $1.5 billion on consultants to keep workers from organizing a union.

Mock acknowledged political support in Richmond has also helped Virginia’s unionization movement. She added labor advocates are continuing to push for more pro-worker legislation in the General Assembly.

“Collective bargaining is huge for workers,” Mock asserted. “We’ve not done it yet, but there is a huge call to repeal right-to-work here in Virginia. But also making sure the legislation we’re getting passed always has a pro-worker position on it.”

Unions and labor rights advocates faced a setback when Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed a bill which would have lifted a ban on collective bargaining for public workers.

Spanberger vetoed the legislation after the General Assembly rejected her amendments. She had wanted to delay implementation until 2030, shift authority to a state board and give local governments scheduling flexibility.

Source: Public News Service