Botanical garden workers in Virginia to vote on unionization

RICHMOND, Va. — The workers at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden filed for union representation last month amid employee-voiced workplace concerns, which range from lack of equipment to safety policies.

The garden, which spans over 82 acres in Henrico County, has won national accolades as a destination. The Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights was ranked first in USAToday’s top 10 botanical garden light show list last year.

The garden employs about 60 workers eligible to unionize, but also relies on an extensive volunteer network. Employees from multiple departments at the botanical garden, including horticulture, education and operations, expressed concern their voices and suggestions are not being heard by their management.

While specific examples were given during interviews, employees requested they not be published in detail over fear of retaliation.

The workers, under the group name LGBG Workers United, officially began the process of unionization with the National Labor Relations Board in October, according to their Instagram page.

Lewis Ginter employees initiated a relationship with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, or IAM. The association was founded in 1888 and historically represented machinists. Since then, it has expanded to include other professions such as architects, library workers and yoga instructors, according to Bridget Fitzgerald, an IAM union organizer.

Lewis Ginter would be the only garden it represents, but not the only garden to unionize. Portland Japanese Garden employees in Oregon unionized earlier this year.

Lewis Ginter employees reached out to other unions over the summer, but did not receive any responses until IAM, according to Fitzgerald.

“There isn’t a union for every single profession,” Fitzgerald said. “And as I said, we have looked for opportunities to help workers where we can and when we can.”

Fitzgerald thought that it made sense for IAM to potentially represent workers from the garden, partially because one of the oldest local IAM lodges is based in Richmond.

Staff must show that at least 30% of its workforce is interested to begin union proceedings, according to the labor board. This is usually determined by a petition or authorization cards. A secret-ballot election is then held by the workers to officially call for union representation, requiring a simple majority to pass.

The garden workers plan to hold their election on Nov. 21, according to Fitzgerald. If successful, the union representatives elected by the workers and the company management would be legally bound to negotiate employment terms in good faith.

Garden employees say they want a voice

These collective bargaining negotiations often tackle wage adjustments, overtime benefits and improvements to working conditions.

The efforts to unionize have bolstered employee morale and increased camaraderie among the different departments, according to Eryn Boyle, who has worked at the garden for just over a year.

“I personally feel a lot more empowered, because for a while I was feeling very hopeless and stuck,” Boyle said. “The people feel like they’re making a difference and want to stay here, and want to make things better and see it through.”

At least five employees expressed a great love for their jobs and a desire to see the garden succeed and grow. They are proud of the work they do, even if they consider their job conditions to be less than ideal.

“I love my job, and it’s what I’ve studied and what I want to do with my life,” said Clare Reines, a horticulturist at Lewis Ginter. “I love working at the botanical garden because I can combine art with plants.”

Some garden workers are unsure about joining a union, but the group spearheading the push believes unionization is the best thing for employees, including management. They said it will allow them more of a voice when future decisions are made.

Garden management response

The initial email response from the garden’s management stated that a union representative could come between managers and the workers, according to Boyle.

Representatives from Lewis Ginter management declined to answer questions, but referred to an official statement.

The statement reads: “We cannot comment on the union’s petition at this time out of respect for the rights of everyone involved and the legal process. What we can convey is that Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden values employees for their individual talents and skills. We are pro-employee and work with staff individually and personally. That is why the majority of our operating budget is dedicated to employees in the form of increased funding for professional development, increased benefits and raises each of the last four years ranging from 3-7%. As an independent, non-profit organization that is wholly dependent on donors and operational revenue, the work of the Garden staff is unique and essential to maintaining a destination that is open to the public throughout the year.”

The garden has hired a union-dissuading agency in an attempt to dissuade workers from voting in favor of the union, according to Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald pointed out the contrast between a company which says it cannot pay its workers more, but then hires potentially expensive anti-union representation.

Lewis Ginter management did not respond to a follow up email about the firm it hired.

“It’s [employee] labor that makes this place the very tranquil environment that it is,” Fitzgerald said. “They’ve got ideas, they’ve got suggestions.”

Fitzgerald encouraged members of the Richmond community who support worker efforts to voice their support while enjoying the attractions of the garden.

Virginia union growth increases

Arborists at TrueTimber, a tree care company based in Richmond, voted to join IAM this summer. Their vote to unionize passed despite efforts by management to prevent it. The company hired a union-busting firm after pulling the plug on a promise to pass ownership to the employees, according to IAM.

Union membership in Virginia increased from 3.7% to 4.3% between 2022 and 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median union wages were 15% higher than nonunion wages, according to data from the same report. National union membership numbers showed little change over that time frame.

Noah Dalbey, another Lewis Ginter worker in the operations department, said unionization isn’t the extreme change some believe it to be.

“The way the consultants are framing it is they’re kind of trying to make it seem like we’re trying to go for some big radical change that is going to change everything at the garden,” Dalbey said. “All we want is a chance to have a say … to change our workplace.”

Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School of Media and Culture. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.