Unions Turn Out for Fairfax Casino Bill as Virginia Gov. Mulls Decision

Several labor unions turned out in force on Wednesday to support a bill that would allow a casino and entertainment district to be built in Tysons in Fairfax, Virginia.

Senate Bill 756 was approved by the Virginia General Assembly on March 14. It has remained untouched on Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) desk in the time since, and she has not hinted at a possible decision in either direction.

Spanberger’s signature would allow the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to hold a ballot referendum, ultimately allowing local voters to decide on the fate of potential projects.

Fairfax, Virginia casino bill championed

Wednesday’s rally occurred across from the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons Corner on land owned by Reston-based developer company Comstock Holding Companies, which is supporting the proposal. 

One of the key messages behind attendees was that the project is about more than just building a casino with live-dealer table games and slot machines. It also includes plans for a hotel, housing units, and other entertainment amenities, making it transformative for the entire area.

“There’s a lot of misinformation that basically has identified this whole project as just being one casino,” said Virginia Diamond, president of the Northern Virginia Labor Federation AFL-CIO. “It’s very important for people to know that this is an entire entertainment district, of which 5 percent would be a gaming floor inside a luxury hote

Workers who attended the gathering identified several other would-be positive impacts of the complex. That included the creation of nearby jobs, allowing workers to spend more time with their families and in their community.

“As a union electrician, I and most of my sister and brother electricians, have to travel to jobs outside of Fairfax, spending hours commuting and away from our families,” said Maria Zoraya Silva, a Burke resident and member of IBEW Local 26.

Reasons for supporting the bill

As is the case with most legislative proposals, one of the key components involves money. 

Labor leaders rallied behind the inflated cost of living in Fairfax County, which they claimed was 42 percent higher than the national average. Kassa Emebet Samuel, the internal organizing director at UNITE HERE Local 25, said that greenlighting the project would create 2,000 union construction jobs and 3,000 permanent hospitality roles, putting more wages into workers’ pockets.

Emily VanDerhoff, president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, also asserted that the tax revenue generated from the district would help fund local public schools and give teachers more resources in their classrooms.

“Labor is presenting an alternative to raise revenues and support Fairfax’s working families and schools,” VanDerhoff said. “We’re hopeful that Governor Spanberger will sign this bill into law and give the people of Fairfax County a chance to decide.”

High-ranking members of the unions already confirmed that labor agreements for the project proposal were already reached between the developer and labor attorneys, according to Patch.

Even if Spanberger signs the bill, local voters must still approve the project at a referendum. That hinges on the Board of Supervisors arranging a referendum in the first place, after previously agreeing to oppose all pro-casino legislation.