by Nick Minock | Mon, December 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM

RICHMOND, Va. (7News) — Democratic State Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy introduced a bill that would repeal Virginia’s right-to-work law.

In an interview with 7News, Caroll Foy told Reporter Nick Minock that repealing Virginia’s right-to-work law would strengthen workers’ collective bargaining position, which she argues would help increase wages and improve benefits for workers.

“Right now we have some CEOs making 350 times the average worker,” said Caroll Foy. “We have to ensure that we improve workers’ bargaining position, and the best way to do that is by ensuring that we can increase union membership. As Dr Martin Luther King Jr said, right to work is a misnomer. It has nothing to do with rights or work. It’s a great way to suppress people organizing to negotiate for better pay, safer working conditions, and to be able to retire with dignity.”

Caroll Foy added, “The statistics are clear that in states where there are right-to-work laws, so-called right-to-work laws, that wages are suppressed and lower. We understand that right-to-work laws are a vestige of Jim Crow, because many people wanted to stop Black workers from being able to join a union, because that was the fastest, most efficient way to the middle class. We’re done with that. We’re ready to move forward and move forward with affordability and improve the lives of all workers.”

Caroll Foy argues repealing Virginia’s right-to-work law is pro-worker.

“I do not agree with that,” Republican State Senator Tara Durant told 7News. “I think it’s actually quite the opposite.”

“I’m opposing it [Carroll Foy’s bill],” added Durant. “I think it sends the wrong message. Virginia has been on a phenomenal track with so much investment. We’ve had just a record amount in the last four years with this [Youngkin] administration. And I think the bill that’s been filed by Senator Carroll Foy sends the wrong message.”

Durant argues that if right-to-work restrictions are repealed, paychecks would be lower because some workers would be forced to pay union dues. Durant is also concerned that businesses would choose other states to build their companies and create jobs.

“I think it’s very clear that they’re going to go elsewhere. And the reason why we know that is because we’ve seen this with other states that have repealed it, and they have gone and thrived in our competitor states, in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Florida,” said Durant. “What happens is that suppresses opportunity. That’s going to affect opportunity for business, for jobs, and furthermore, it’s going to really hit at the bottom line for laborers who are going to see less in their paycheck because they’re being forced to pay these dues.”

If the Democratic majorities in the General Assembly pass the repeal of right to work, the bill doesn’t necessarily need Spanberger’s signature to become law. If Spanberger chose to take no action on the bill, it would become law.

On Monday, 7News asked Spanberger if legislation to repeal right-to-work landed on her desk, would she veto it, sign it, or take no action.

Spanberger’s spokesperson told 7News, “Governor-elect Spanberger believes the Governor of Virginia’s top priority is to strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy and attract new jobs. As the Governor-elect made clear on the campaign trail and reiterated on Friday in front of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, she would veto legislation repealing this statute. As Governor-elect Spanberger prepares to take office, she will be focused on delivering results for Virginia workers, attracting new businesses to the Commonwealth, and making sure parents can afford to live here in Virginia to take advantage of job opportunities.”