Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends state collective bargaining laws relating to right to work protections.

Highlights:

• Authorizes public employees, with certain exceptions, to (Sec. 1):

• Organize, or form, join, or assist any employee organization or refrain from any such activity;

• Negotiate collectively through representatives of their own choosing; and

• Engage in other concerted activities for the purposes of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection.

• Establishes the Public Employee Relations Board as a supervisory board in the executive branch of state government (Sec. 1).

• Requires the public employer and an employee organization that is the exclusive bargaining representative to meet at reasonable times, including meetings reasonably in advance of the public employer’s budget-making process, to negotiate in good faith with respect to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment (Sec. 1).

• Requires the collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the employer and the exclusive bargaining representative to contain a grievance resolution procedure (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a public employer or its designated representative from (Sec. 1):

• Interfering with, restraining, or coercing public employees in the exercise of rights granted by this article;

• Dominating or interfering in the administration of any employee organization;

• Encouraging or discouraging membership in any employee organization, committee, or association including by discrimination in hiring, tenure, or other terms or conditions of employment;

• Discharging or discriminating against any public employee because they have filed an affidavit, petition, or complaint or given any information or testimony under this article or because he has formed, joined, or chosen to be represented by any exclusive bargaining representative;

• Refusing to negotiate collectively with representatives of any employee organization that is an exclusive bargaining representative as required in this article;

• Denying the rights accompanying certification as the exclusive representative granted in this article;

• Refusing to participate in good faith in any agreed-upon impasse procedures or those set forth in this article; or

• Refusing to reduce a collective bargaining agreement to writing and sign such an agreement.

• Prohibits an employee organization or its agents from (Sec. 1):

• Interfering with, restraining, or coercing a public employee with respect to rights granted in this article or with respect to selecting an exclusive representative;

• Failing to represent an employee who is in a bargaining unit exclusively represented by the employee organization fairly and without discrimination provided such failure is willful or deliberate;

• Refusing to bargain collectively with the public employer as required in this article;

• Refusing to participate in good faith in any agreed-upon impasse procedures or procedures set forth in this article; or

• Violating the impasse provisions of this article, which hereby are made applicable to public employers, public employees, and exclusive representatives.

Full Bill Text