The Fairfax County Federation of Principals, Supervisors, and Administrators (FCFPSA), AFSA Local 147, has made history by winning a decisive victory to become the exclusive bargaining representative for more than 1,350 school leaders in Fairfax County, Virginia.
According to the election results released by the school district, more than 96% of voters supported the union, choosing representation over the no-union option. The election was overseen by BallotPoint Election Services. This victory establishes one of the largest bargaining units of school and central office administrators in the country.
“This win is a testament to the hard work, dedication and resilience of our principals, supervisors, administrators and supporters,” said Jeff Litz, principal of George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church. A key figure in representing administrators during the development of the district’s collective bargaining policy, Litz played a pivotal role in the organizing effort that led to this historic win.
“My colleagues, both in schools and the central office, are an incredibly dynamic and influential group of educational leaders,” Litz added. “This achievement not only highlights our shared commitment to ensuring that our voices are heard, but also underscores the importance of collaboration and solidarity in advocating for better representation and working conditions. Our focus will be on working collaboratively with our members, school officials, the school board and the community to drive positive change and enhance the educational experience for all students in Fairfax County.”
While several districts in Virginia have allowed unionization for teachers and operational employees, few have extended those rights to school administrators. To date, only the Arlington, Fairfax and Richmond school districts have granted collective bargaining rights to administrators in the state.
This election marks the third union victory within Fairfax County Public Schools this year. In June, licensed instructional staff, including teachers and operational employees, voted to unionize. Unlike these groups, who have had union organizations in the county for decades, school and central office administrators built their union from the ground up in just a few months, making this victory even more remarkable.
“We all work long hours and give our best to make students our main focus, yet often we have not had a way to ensure our voices and needs are heard by the school district,” said Aron Sterling, a senior manager in the district’s Instructional Services Department and an early organizer of the union. “In the past, we had to advocate for workplace changes office by office, building by building, and group by group. Now, with our union victory, we can advocate together.
“Our collective voice has the power to bring about meaningful change,” added Sterling. “This show of unity in the election not only strengthens our efforts but also amplifies the needs and concerns of all educational leaders, ensuring that we are truly heard in the decision-making processes that affect our work and our students.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant surge in the formation of administrators' unions across the United States. The pandemic intensified the workload for school leaders, as they were tasked with implementing shifting health guidelines, managing remote and hybrid learning models, and addressing the social-emotional needs of students and staff—all without adequate input or compensation.
“During and after the pandemic, many administrators felt sidelined, treated as second-class citizens, with decisions impacting their daily work made without their voices at the table,” said Dr. Leonard P. Pugliese, president of the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), the national union with which Fairfax administrators and supervisors are affiliated. “This growing sense of frustration and lack of recognition has driven more administrators to organize.
“This victory is a powerful testament to our unity and collective strength, showcasing what can be accomplished when we join together,” said Pugliese. “It marks a significant milestone and highlights the vital role that principals, supervisors and administrators play in shaping the educational landscape of Fairfax County. Their leadership and collaboration are essential as we strive to create a better environment for both educators and students alike.”
