RICHMOND, Va – (WSVA) – As Harrisonburg City Council contemplates whether to adopt an ordinance from the Police Department for a collective bargaining agreement, the General Assembly is also considering a measure for collective bargaining by public employees.

Delegate Kathy Tran said Thursday in a Commerce and Labor Subcommittee hearing that her measure expands the right of state employees, especially at the local level.

However, Janet Lawson, Director for the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management argued that this bill would cost too much to implement.

The bill cleared the subcommittee on a party-line 5-3 vote and will move on to appropriations.