8News Exclusive: Abigail Spanberger says she won’t sign bill to fully repeal Virginia’s right-to-work law

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor, says if elected, she won’t sign a bill repealing Virginia’s right-to-work law. 

Virginia’s right-to-work law says, “No employer shall require any person, as a condition of employment or continuation of employment, to pay any dues, fees or other charges of any kind to any labor union or labor organization.”

In 2021, Spanberger, who was then a member of Congress, co-sponsored the PRO Act, which the AFL-CIO said “would override state right-to-work laws. 

Spanberger made the comments in an exclusive sit-down interview with 8News Capitol Bureau Reporter Tyler Englander. 

Englander asked Spanberger: “The lieutenant governor, Winsome Sears, your opponent in this race, has attacked you on the issue of right-to-work, which for our viewers is Virginia’s law that allows anybody to work without having to pay union dues. She cites your support for the PRO Act, which you co-sponsored in Congress. Would you sign a bill as Governor of Virginia to repeal Virginia’s current right-to-work law?"

Spanberger replied, “Well, I think notably it’s important that this last General Assembly, no one even submitted a bill that would repeal the right-to-work. I support labor. I support our strong Virginia economy, but no, I don’t support a full repeal of our current right-to-work statute.  Certainly, it's an old statute. We have seen reforms and adjustments to it over the years, and recognizing that as Virginia and our economy moves forward, reforms may be necessary into the future, but no, not a full repeal.”

More of 8News' interview with Spanberger will air on Thursday, May 8 at 6 p.m., with the full interview to be posted on wric.com.