Michigan Democrats seek to repeal law prohibiting public employees from being required to pay union fees

Fifty-one Democratic members of the Michigan House of Representatives and all 20 Democratic senators are sponsoring companion bills that would repeal a section of law prohibiting public employees from being required to pay union fees.

Also in today’s newsletter: an update on public-sector union lawsuits at the Supreme Court and an update on union membership from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

About the Michigan bills

House Bill 4004 and Senate Bill 0005 were both introduced on Jan. 12 and referred to the respective chambers’ Labor Committees.

Part of the law the bills would repeal currently says, “No person shall by force, intimidation, or unlawful threats compel or attempt to compel any public employee to … [b]ecome or remain a member of a labor organization or bargaining representative or otherwise affiliate with or financially support a labor organization or bargaining representative.”

If enacted, the bills would add, “[T]his act or any other law of this state does not preclude a public employer from making an agreement with an exclusive bargaining representative as described in section 11 to require as a condition of employment that all other employees in the bargaining unit pay to the exclusive bargaining representative a service fee equivalent to the amount of dues uniformly required of members of the exclusive bargaining representative.”

In its 2018 ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, the U.S. Supreme Court held that public-sector unions cannot require non-member employees to pay fees to support union activities. According to The Detroit News’ Beth LeBlanc, “Sponsors of the bills said the inclusion of public sector unions is an acknowledgment of the Democratic majority’s commitment to all workers as well as a placeholder if the Janus decision should be overturned in the future.”

Democrats gained a trifecta in Michigan as a result of the 2022 elections.

Perspectives

Support

Michigan Education Association representative Thomas Morgan said, “It’s important to us that we already have state laws in place so if the Supreme Court does reconsider Janus down the road we have laws on the books (in Michigan) that allow workers to have their rights.”

Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D), the lead sponsor of the Senate bill, said, “It’s important for us to think about the laws we want regardless of what the Supreme Court says is precedent because they’ve shown precedent doesn’t mean much anymore.”

Rep. Regina Weiss (D), the lead sponsor of the House bill, said, “We’ve seen with the Supreme Court, decisions are made, decisions are changed.”

Opposition

Mackinac Center for Public Policy vice president for legal affairs Patrick Wright said, “A state legislature cannot overturn a U.S. Supreme Court interpretation of First Amendment rights. … These bills show a grave lack of understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the rights of public employees. This attempt to put forth blatantly unconstitutional legislation is concerning.”

Michigan Capitol Confidential’s James David Dickson said, “House Bill 4004, if passed, would result in litigation on an issue recently settled by the U.S. Supreme Court. Public sector employees have right-to-work protections. Michigan law would not override the U.S. Constitution, as interpreted by the highest court in the land.” Michigan Capitol Confidential is a publication of the Mackinac Center.

The Detroit News editorial board said, “Unions and Democrats know their legislation is unenforceable and already trumped by the court’s ruling. … It’s an irresponsible approach to legislating likely to create a confusing legal landscape for public sector workers in Michigan.”

As of Feb. 10, neither bill had been placed on the agenda for consideration in either committee. To check the bills’ status in each committee, click here and here.

Supreme Court update

The U.S. Supreme Court recently denied requests to review four cases related to Janus. The justices are scheduled to consider three other related cases on Feb. 17. To view the current status of all the cases we’re tracking, click here.

DePierro v. Las Vegas Police Protective Association (petition denied Jan. 9)
Mattos v. AFSCME (petition denied Jan. 17)
File v. Hickey (petition denied Jan. 23)
Wright v. SEIU Local 503 (petition denied Jan. 23)

Bureau of Labor Statistics releases annual union membership estimates

On Jan. 19, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its annual estimates of union membership in the United States. The full press release and data can be found here.

The BLS estimates that 33.1% of public-sector workers nationwide were union members in 2022, roughly five times the membership rate in the private sector (6.0%). In 2021, public-sector union membership was estimated at 33.9%. In 2020, it was 34.8%, and in 2019, it was 33.6%.

An estimated 38.8% of local government workers were union members in 2022, down from 40.2% in 2021.
An estimated 29.9% of state workers were union members in 2022, up from 29.6% in 2021.
An estimated 24.4% of federal workers were union members in 2022, down from 24.9% in 2021.

Commentary

AFSCME President Lee Saunders said, “We can’t ignore that anti-worker forces have tried to make it as difficult as possible to join a union, but workers aren’t backing down. … When we have a seat at the table, we receive higher wages, better benefits, and job and retirement security that helps to build stronger, more prosperous communities. And, as the BLS data reveal, these benefits are critical to leveling the playing field for women and workers of color.”
Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy at Illinois Policy, said, “While the raw number of government employees increased, the percentage of those choosing to be union members decreased. … One of the most common reasons: government employees don’t feel well represented by their unions. Union leaders’ political agendas and the labor strife created by strikes get in the way of what unions are supposed to be doing.”

What we’re reading

The big picture

Number of relevant bills by state

We are currently tracking 102 pieces of legislation dealing with public-sector employee union policy. On the map below, a darker shade of green indicates a greater number of relevant bills. Click here for a complete list of all the bills we’re tracking.

Number of relevant bills by current legislative status

Number of relevant bills by partisan status of sponsor(s)

Recent legislative actions

Below is a complete list of relevant legislative actions taken since our last issue.

Alaska HB46: This bill would require the Department of Health to bargain with childcare provider unions.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Read first time, referred to House Labor & Commerce Committee Jan. 25. Committee hearings Jan. 30, Feb. 10.
Arizona HB2110: This bill would repeal the state’s prohibition of denying employment due to nonmembership in a union.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduced, read first time, and referred to House Commerce, Government, and Rules Committees Jan. 23. House read second time Jan. 24.
Arizona HCR2008: This bill would refer a measure to the 2024 general election ballot to repeal Article XXV of the Arizona Constitution, titled “Right to Work or Employment without Membership in Labor Organization.”
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduced, read first time Jan. 26. Assigned to House Commerce, Government, and Rules Committees. Read second time Jan. 30.
Arizona SB1479:This bill would repeal the state’s prohibition of denying employment due to nonmembership in a union.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduced, read first time, and referred to Senate Commerce Committee and Senate Rules Committee Feb. 2. Senate read second time Feb. 9.
Arizona SB1670: This bill would create the Public Employee Bargaining Act, which would give public employees the right to join a union and meet and confer with a public employer through an exclusive representative without interference or discrimination. The bill would establish a public employee labor relations board to designate appropriate bargaining units, certify exclusive representatives, and hear complaints. The bill would allow public employers besides the state to establish local labor relations boards. The bill would prohibit strikes.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduced, read first time, and referred to Senate Government Committee and Senate Rules Committee Feb. 7. Senate read second time Feb. 9.
Arizona SCR1030: This bill would refer a measure to the 2024 general election ballot to repeal Article XXV of the Arizona Constitution, titled “Right to Work or Employment without Membership in Labor Organization.”
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduced, read first time Feb. 2. Assigned to Senate Commerce and Rules Committees Feb. 2. Senate read second time Feb. 9.
California AB1: This bill would establish the “Legislature Employer-Employee Relations Act,” which would allow state legislative employees to organize and bargain collectively. The act would go into effect on July 1, 2024.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Referred to Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee Jan. 26.
California SB334: This bill would authorize the Public Employment Relations Board to include the impact of net-zero carbon emissions initiatives on public employees when conducting studies of employer-employee relations.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduced, read first time, referred to Senate Rules Committee for assignment Feb. 7.
Colorado SB111: This bill would give certain public employees the right to express views about union representation and workplace issues, engage in “protected, concerted activity for the purpose of mutual aid or protection,” participate in the political process while not at work, and join or not join a union. It would prohibit public employers from retaliating against employees for engaging in such activities. It would stipulate that the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment is responsible for enforcement.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduced, referred to Senate Local Government & Housing Committee Jan. 31.
Connecticut HB06285: This bill would make it a discriminatory practice for any employer to ask an employee whether they had previously been a union member. The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities would be responsible for enforcement.
- Bipartisan sponsorship.
- Referred to Joint Labor and Public Employees Committee Jan. 19. Reserved for subject matter public hearing Jan. 26. Public hearing Feb. 7.
Connecticut SB00482: This bill would require collective bargaining agreements and notices for state and municipal employees to include “a clear and conspicuous statement of an employee’s right to not be a member of an employee organization.”
- Republican sponsorship.
- Referred to Joint Labor and Public Employees Committee Jan. 18.
Connecticut SB00650: This bill would repeal a section of law allowing the terms of state employee collective bargaining agreements and arbitration awards to supersede conflicting state law.
- Republican sponsorship.
- Referred to Joint Appropriations Committee Jan. 18.
Connecticut SB00912: This bill would extend collective bargaining rights to probate court employees as of Oct. 1, 2023.
- Committee-introduced bill.
- Referred to Joint Labor and Public Employees Committee Jan. 26. Public hearing Jan. 31.
Hawaii HB334 and Hawaii SB1049: These companion bills would remove state and county employer contributions to the state’s health benefits trust fund from the scope of public-sector collective bargaining negotiations.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB334 introduced, passed first reading Jan. 20. Referred to House Labor & Government Operations and House Finance Committees Jan. 25. Labor & Government Operations Committee hearing Feb. 7. Committee recommendation: pass with amendments.
- SB1049 introduced Jan. 20, passed first reading Jan. 23. Referred to Senate Labor and Technology/Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Senate Ways and Means Committees Jan. 27.
Hawaii HB1205: This bill would stipulate that public employee unions are not required to provide grievance representation to members of the bargaining unit who do not pay dues, dues equivalents, or reasonable costs of representation.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduced, passed first reading Jan. 25. Referred to House Labor & Government Operations Committee and House Finance Committee Jan. 30.
Illinois HB5107 (2022 session): This bill would define educational supervisors (e.g., principals and assistant principals) as educational employees for the purpose of collective bargaining. The bill would not allow educational supervisors in positions requiring an administrative license to strike. The bill would only apply to districts organized under Article 34 of the Illinois School Code, which applies to cities with a population of more than 500,000.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Sent to the governor Feb. 3.
Illinois HB1083: This bill would stipulate that any collective bargaining provision limiting a public employer’s ability to investigate employee conduct is unenforceable.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- First reading, referred to House Rules Committee Jan. 12.
Illinois HB1089: This bill would prohibit collective bargaining agreements between public employers and police unions from allowing unconstitutional police conduct. A collective bargaining agreement allowing unconstitutional police conduct would be void.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- First reading, referred to House Rules Committee Jan. 12.
Illinois HB1120: This bill would require certified charter school contract renewals to include a union neutrality clause stating that the school agrees to be “neutral regarding the unionization of any of its employees …,” to provide “labor organization access at reasonable times…,” and to recognize unions “through a majority card check verified by a neutral third-party arbitrator[.]”
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Referred to House Labor & Commerce Committee Feb. 7.
Illinois SB0292: This bill would require any charter school receiving state funding to enter into a labor peace agreement with a charter school employee union seeking such an agreement within 60 days of receiving notification of the union’s intention. The agreement would be required to prohibit the union from engaging in work stoppages, and it would be required to prohibit the charter school and union from harassing or coercing employees with regard to protected activities. The charter school would be required to allow union representatives to meet privately with employees.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- First reading Feb. 2. Referred to Senate Executive Committee Feb. 7.
Maryland HB65 and Maryland SB352: These companion bills would extend collective bargaining rights to certain county public library employees. The bills would prohibit employees from striking.
- Democratic sponsorship (HB65), bipartisan sponsorship (SB352).
- HB65: House Appropriations Committee hearing Jan. 31.
- SB352: First reading Senate Finance Commitee and Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee Jan. 30. Finance Committee hearing Feb. 16.
Maryland HB85 and Maryland SB206: These companion bills would repeal a provision that says maximum class size is not subject to collective bargaining negotiation.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB85: House Ways and Means Committee hearing Feb. 1.
- SB206: First reading Senate Finance Committee Jan. 20. Committee hearing Feb. 9.
Maryland HB116 and Maryland SB284: These companion bills would extend collective bargaining rights to certain employees of the Trustees of the Walters Art Gallery.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB116: House Appropriations Committee hearing Jan. 24.
- SB284: First reading Senate Finance Committee and Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee Jan. 27. Senate Finance Committee hearing Feb. 16.
Maryland HB183 and Maryland SB298: These companion bills would grant collective bargaining rights to certain state employees in supervisory and managerial roles. The bill would establish separate bargaining units for those employees.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB183: First reading House Appropriations Committee Jan. 18. Committee hearing Jan. 31.
- SB298: First reading Senate Finance Committee Jan. 27. Committee hearing Feb. 16.
Maryland HB275 and Maryland SB247: These companion bills would extend collective bargaining rights to certain faculty, teaching assistants, graduate assistants, fellows, and postdoctoral interns at University System of Maryland institutions, Morgan State University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB275: First reading House Appropriations Committee Jan. 25, hearing Feb. 14.
- SB247: First reading Senate Finance Committee Jan. 25. Senate Finance Committee hearing Feb. 16.
Maryland HB380 and Maryland SB218: These companion bills would require appropriations in the budget for implementing the terms of memoranda of understanding between the state and state employee unions. It would propose a constitutional amendment for the November 2024 ballot that would provide for related expenditures. The bill would require a neutral arbitrator to be selected to oversee collective bargaining negotiations. The bill would add fringe benefits, health benefits, and pension benefits as mandatory subjects of collective bargaining.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB380: First reading House Appropriations Committee Jan. 26. House Appropriations Committee hearing Feb. 7.
- SB218: First reading Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and Senate Finance Committee Jan. 23. Senate Budget and Taxation Committee hearing Feb. 1.
Maryland HB490 and Maryland SB230: These companion bills would require the Maryland Department of Health to disclose certain information about residential service agency employees providing home healthcare to a union upon request.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB490: First reading House Health and Government Operations Committee Jan. 30. Hearing Feb. 23.
- SB230: First reading Senate Finance Committee Jan. 23. Senate Finance Committee hearing Feb. 9.
Maryland HB579 and Maryland SB494: These companion bills would require the Secretary of Budget and Management to assign or reassign certain Department of Education employees to appropriate bargaining units.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB579: First reading House Appropriations Committee Feb. 3.
- SB494: First reading Senate Finance Committee Feb. 3. Hearing March 3.
Maryland HB637 and Maryland SB428: These companion bills would allow sworn deputy sheriffs and correctional deputies at the rank of sergeant and below to bargain collectively with their employers. The bills would not authorize such employees to strike.
- Sponsored by Washington County Delegation (HB637) and Washington County Senators (SB428).
- HB637: First reading House Appropriations Committee Feb. 3.
- SB428: First reading Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Feb. 2.
Maryland SB367: This bill, called the Public Employee Relations Act, would consolidate and amend public employee collective bargaining laws. It would stipulate rights and duties of employers, employees, and unions. The bill would establish the Public Employee Relations Board and repeal other existing boards. The bill would stipulate that public school employers, employees, and unions are subject to Title 21 of the State Government Article, and it would authorize binding arbitration for public school employees.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- First reading Senate Finance Committee and Senate Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee Jan. 31. Senate Finance Committee hearing Feb. 16.
Maryland SB680: This bill would extend collective bargaining rights to certain county public library employees. The bill would prohibit employees from striking.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- First reading Senate Finance Committee Feb. 6. Hearing March 10.
Michigan HB4004 and Michigan SB0005: These companion bills would repeal a section of law prohibiting public employees from being required to join or financially support a union. The bills stipulate that a public employer may “[make] an agreement with an exclusive bargaining representative … to require as a condition of employment that all other employees in the bargaining unit pay to the exclusive bargaining representative a service fee equivalent to the amount of dues uniformly required of members of the exclusive bargaining representative.”
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB4004: Introduced, first reading, referred to House Labor Committee Jan. 12.
- SB0005: Introduced, referred to Senate Labor Committee Jan. 12.
Minnesota HF827 and Minnesota SF680: These companion bills would add certain requirements for teacher preparation time that must be included in collective bargaining agreements, such as requiring one or two uninterrupted blocks of preparation time, with additional time for certain teachers.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HF827 introduction and first reading, referred to House Education Policy Committee Jan. 25.
- SF680 introduction and first reading, referred to Senate Education Policy Committee Jan. 25. Hearing Feb. 1.
Minnesota HF859 and Minnesota SF1400: These companion bills would remove a limitation on what counts as covered salary for retirement contributions for teachers working for a union.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduction and first reading, referred to House State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee Jan. 25.
- SF1400: Introduction and first reading, referred to Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee Feb. 8.
Minnesota SF771: This bill would add certain requirements for teacher preparation time that must be included in collective bargaining agreements, such as requiring one or two uninterrupted blocks of preparation time, with additional time for certain teachers.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduction and first reading, referred to Senate Education Policy Committee Jan. 26.
Minnesota SF857: This bill would repeal statutory language allowing public employee labor organizations to collect fair share fees or otherwise referring to fair share fees.
- Republican sponsorship.
- Introduction and first reading, referred to Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee Jan. 27.
Minnesota SF1406: This bill would require the commissioner of management and budget to consider only compensation data from the most recent salary and benefits survey when negotiating compensation as part of a collective bargaining agreement with law enforcement officers.
- Republican sponsorship.
- Introduction and first reading, referred to Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee Feb. 8.
Minnesota SF1506: This bill would require the commissioner of management and budget to consider only compensation data from the most recent salary and benefits survey when negotiating compensation as part of a collective bargaining agreement with law enforcement officers. The bill notes, “It is the legislature’s intent that the information in this study be used to compare salaries between the identified police departments and the State Patrol and to make appropriate increases to patrol trooper salaries.”
- Bipartisan sponsorship.
- Introduction and first reading, referred to Senate State and Local Government and Veterans Committee Feb. 9.
Missouri SB54: This bill would bar employers from requiring employees to join or refrain from joining a union as a condition of employment in counties that adopt the provisions of the section.
- Republican sponsorship.
- Referred Senate General Laws Committee Jan. 12.
Montana HB216: This bill would state that public employees may not be required to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment. It would allow public employees to cancel their union membership and cease financial support at any time. It would prohibit public employers from withdrawing union dues from employees’ pay without informing employees annually that union membership and financial support are voluntary and without receiving annual affirmative written consent for dues deductions.
- Republican sponsorship.
- Referred to House Judiciary Committee Jan. 13. Hearing canceled, referred to House State Administration Committee Jan. 16. Hearing Jan. 24. Tabled in committee Feb. 6.
New Hampshire HB134: This bill would establish the Legislature as a public employer and establish collective bargaining procedures for nonpartisan legislative employees.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- House Legislative Administration Committee public hearing Feb. 6.
New Hampshire HB150: This bill would decrease the number of employees required to certify a public employee collective bargaining unit from 10 to five.
- Bipartisan sponsorship.
- House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee public hearing Jan. 26.
New Hampshire HB241: This bill would define a reasonable opportunity for school district employees to meet with the school district for collective bargaining negotiations as being before 9:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on scheduled work days.
- Bipartisan sponsorship.
- House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee public hearing Feb. 7.
New Hampshire SB193: This bill stipulates that negotiating in good faith requires parties to meet for bargaining within 10 days of receiving a written request, unless mutually agreed otherwise.
- Bipartisan sponsorship.
- Introduced Jan. 19. Referred to Senate Commerce Committee Jan. 24. Hearing Feb. 7.
New York A03655: This bill would remove not continuing the terms of an expired collective bargaining agreement from a list of improper practices for public employers.
- Republican sponsorship.
- Referred to Assembly Governmental Employees Committee Feb. 3.
New York A03757: This bill would prohibit public employers from taking adverse action against an employee who is elected or appointed to represent a union or who comments on matters affecting the union.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Referred to Assembly Governmental Employees Committee Feb. 7.
New York A03762: This bill would require the New York state power authority and the union representing power authority employees to submit disputes to a public arbitration panel.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Referred to Assembly Governmental Employees Committee Feb. 7.
New York S01500: This bill would void the terms of any collective bargaining agreement between a public employer and police union that authorized increased pay for implementing the use of body-worn cameras.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Referred to Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee Jan. 12.
Ohio SB47: This bill would prohibit public employers from providing paid leave or compensation to employees in order for the employee to engage in political or lobbying activities on behalf of a union.
- Republican sponsorship.
- Introduced Feb. 7, referred to Senate Judiciary Committee Feb. 8.
Oklahoma HB1761: This bill would require school districts to continue to pay and maintain benefits for school employees during an approved leave of absence to hold office in a union.
- Republican sponsorship.
- First reading Feb. 6. Second reading referred to House Common Education Committee Feb. 7.
Oklahoma HB2026: This bill would require the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to provide a state employee union with a monthly report of employees who have opted-in to union membership.
- Republican sponsorship.
- First reading Feb. 6. Second reading referred to House Government Modernization and Technology Committee Feb. 7.
Oklahoma HB2529: This bill prohibits school districts from deducting union dues from employee pay.
- Republican sponsorship.
- First reading Feb. 6. Second reading referred to House Rules Committee Feb. 7.
Oklahoma HB2543: This bill would require school district employees to sign an annual authorization form containing language specified in the bill in order for the school district to deduct union dues from employees’ pay.
- Republican sponsorship.
- First reading Feb. 6. Second reading referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committee Feb. 7.
Oklahoma SB75: This bill would require annual authorizations for payroll dues deductions for school employees. It would require school employees to sign an annual authorization form before school districts may deduct union dues or political contributions from employee paychecks. The bill would prescribe the wording of the authorization form. It would also require school districts to confirm authorizations by email before deducting dues.
- Republican sponsorship.
- First reading Feb. 6. Second reading referred to Senate Education Committee Feb. 7.
Oklahoma SB928: This bill would prohibit public schools from recognizing a union as a collective bargaining unit and entering into a collective bargaining agreement with a union.
- Republican sponsorship.
- First reading Feb. 6. Second reading referred to Senate Education Committee Feb. 7.
Oregon HB2573: This bill would require the Employment Relations Board to develop procedures for the electronic preparation of authorizations designating bargaining representatives and for the electronic signing of those authorizations.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- House Business and Labor Committee public hearing Jan. 25.
Oregon HB2703: This bill would remove language limiting the inclusion of class size and caseload limits as mandatory subjects of collective bargaining to schools qualifying for Title 1 assistance.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Referred to House Education Committee with subsequent referral to House Ways and Means Committee Jan. 13.
Oregon HB2864: This bill would allow unions to charge “reasonable fees and costs for representation that are unrelated to the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement” to non-union Department of Corrections employees, Oregon Corrections Enterprises employees, and parole or probation officers supervising adult offenders.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Referred to House Business and Labor Committee Jan. 16. Public hearing Jan. 30.
Oregon HB2934: This bill would prohibit a public employer from deducting union dues or fees from public employee pay.
- Republican sponsorship.
- Referred to House Business and Labor Committee Jan. 16.
Oregon HB3149: This bill would add job safety issues and staffing levels as mandatory subjects of collective bargaining for public employees.
- Committee-introduced bill.
- First reading, referred to speaker’s desk Jan. 26. Referred to House Business and Labor Committee Jan. 30.
Oregon HB3165: This bill would change the definition of “supervisory employee” to exclude the following public employees prohibited from striking: emergency communications workers, correctional institution or mental hospital guards, and police officers.
- Bipartisan sponsorship.
- First reading Jan. 31. Referred to House Business and Labor Committee Feb. 2.
Oregon SB187: This bill would repeal ORS 243.738, which prohibits mass transit district employees, transportation district employees, and municipal bus system employees from striking.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Referred to Senate Labor and Business Committee Jan. 13.
Oregon SB194: This bill would exclude certain Oregon State Police employees from being defined as supervisory employees for collective bargaining purposes.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Referred to Senate Labor and Business Committee Jan. 13. Public hearing Jan. 31. Public hearing and work session Feb. 7.
Oregon SB845: This bill would require a panel of three arbitrators to adjudicate public employment disputes, with the public employer and exclusive representative each selecting one arbitrator, and the third arbitrator being selected jointly. The bill would stipulate that the panel should consider employee working conditions, as defined in the bill, when determining their findings and opinions.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduced Feb. 2, referred to Senate Labor and Business Committee Feb. 3.
Rhode Island H5180: This bill would establish a dispute arbitration method for municipal employees.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Introduced, referred to House Labor Committee Jan. 19.
Texas SB736: This bill would establish mandatory binding interest arbitration for fire departments serving a municipality of at least 1.9 million people.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Received by the secretary of the Senate, filed Feb. 7.
Utah HB0241: This bill would prohibit public employers from deducting union dues from public employee wages. It would prohibit the use of public funds to support union activities. It would prohibit public employers from restricting unions from accessing public property that is accessible to others.
- Republican sponsorship.
- First reading in House Rules Committee Jan. 20. Fiscal note received from analyst Jan. 24
Utah HB0243: This bill would stipulate that supervisors, managerial employees, and confidential employees are not included as public transit district employees for the purpose of collective bargaining.
- Republican sponsorship.
- Introduced, first reading in House Jan. 20. Fiscal note received from analyst Jan. 24. Referred to House Transportation Committee Jan. 26. House Transportation Committee hearing Feb. 2, favorable report. Second reading Feb. 3. Third reading Feb. 6, House passed and sent to Senate. First reading in Senate Rules Committee Feb. 7. Senate Business and Labor Committee hearing Feb. 8, bill not considered.
Washington HB1122 and Washington SB5141: These companion bills would remove statutory language excluding certain Washington management service members from collective bargaining units.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB1122: House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee passed substitute bill Jan. 20. Referred to House Appropriations Committee Jan. 24. House Appropriations Committee public hearing Feb. 1, executive session Feb. 8.
- SB5141: Senate Labor & Commerce Committee public hearing Jan. 23, executive session Jan. 31, substitute bill passed. Referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee Feb. 1.
Washington HB1200 and Washington SB5273: These companion bills would require public employers to provide exclusive bargaining representatives with information including employee name, date of hire, contact information, and employment and salary information within 10 days of hiring a new employee in the bargaining unit. All information for every employee in the unit must be sent to the exclusive bargaining representative at specified intervals.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB1200: House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee executive session Jan. 27, substitute bill passed. Referred to Rules 2 Review Jan. 31.
- SB5273: Senate Labor & Commerce Committee public hearing Jan. 23.
Washington HB1307: This bill would grant collective bargaining rights to resident and fellow physicians at public university medical schools.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- First reading, referred to House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee Jan. 13. Public hearing Jan. 25. Executive session Feb. 3, passed. Referred to House Appropriations Committee Feb. 7.
Washington HB1429: This bill would prohibit certificated school district employees from participating in a strike. It would prohibit school districts from paying employees while they strike. It would also prohibit school districts from agreeing to compensation or benefit increases in response to a strike. The bill would give school employees interest arbitration rights.
- Republican sponsorship.
- First reading, referred to House Labor & Workplace Standards Committee Jan. 18.
Washington HB1774 and Washington SB5694: These companion bills would allow the office of financial management more flexibility to use the state salary survey in collective bargaining negotiations. The bills would require classification plans to be negotiated with the relevant employee union. The bills would include the benchmark descriptions and job classifications used in conducting salary surveys as subjects of collective bargaining.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- HB1774: First reading, referred to House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee Feb. 6. Public hearing Feb. 14. Executive session Feb. 17.
- SB5694: First reading, referred to Senate State Government & Elections Committee Feb. 3. Public hearing Feb. 14. Executive session Feb. 17.
Washington SB5085: This bill would grant principals and assistant principals the right to bargain for working conditions rather than being limited to bargaining for compensation and hours and days of work.
- Democratic sponsorship.
- Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee passed substitute bill Jan. 19. Referred to Senate Rules Committee Jan. 20 for second reading. Senate Rules Committee placed on second reading calendar Jan. 25.
Wisconsin SB28: This bill would prohibit county jailers from being treated as public safety employees for the purpose of collective bargaining.
- Bipartisan sponsorship.
- Introduced, read first time, and referred to Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Feb. 3.

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