Tag: Union Station

On March 12, two Alaska state employees filed a federal lawsuit against the Alaska State Employees Association, alleging that the union has continued to deduct dues from their paychecks against their express wishes. Who are the parties to the suit? The plaintiffs are Linda Creed, an employee of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and…

On March 8, the Virginia General Assembly approved legislation to repeal Virginia’s prohibition against public-sector collective bargaining. This measure would allow local governments to bargain collectively with their employees upon adopting an authorizing ordinance or resolution. The approved legislation, SB939, is the product of a joint conference committee compromise between two competing bills: SB939 and…

On March 4, the Florida House of Representatives passed legislation that would alter the process by which public-sector workers join, resign from, and pay dues to unions. What does the bill propose? HB1 would amend Florida’s public-sector labor laws as follows: Requires employees joining unions to sign membership cards. These membership cards must include the…

This week, committees in both the Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia State Senate advanced legislation that would, if enacted, extend collective bargaining rights to public-sector workers. HB582: HB582 originated in the House, which approved the bill on Feb. 6 by a vote of 54-45 with one member not voting. All but one Democrat,…

On Feb. 14, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), which administers the laws governing federal labor relations, issued a 2-1 decision that will, upon implementation of supporting regulations, permit federal workers to stop paying union dues at any time after their first year of dues-paying membership. Prior to this, federal workers have only been permitted…

On Feb. 11, the Virginia State Senate approved SB939, legislation that would allow, but not require, counties, cities, and towns to recognize unions as bargaining agents for public-sector workers. What specifically does the bill propose? SB939 would make the following changes to the state’s public-sector labor laws (existing law is rendered in standard text; changes…

On Feb. 6, the Virginia House of Delegates approved HB582, a bill establishing collective bargaining rights for public-sector workers at both the state and local levels. Nationwide, three states – Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina – currently prohibit collective bargaining on the part of public-sector workers. What specifically does the bill propose? HB582 would…

Florida lawmakers are considering legislation (H0001) that would, if enacted, change how public-sector employees join, resign from, and pay membership dues to unions. What does the bill propose? The bill would make the following changes: Requires employees who wish to join a union to sign a membership authorization form. The form must include an acknowledgment…

On Jan. 20, an employee of the University of Washington filed a class-action lawsuit in U.S. District Court, alleging that her union, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 925, had unconstitutionally barred her and other employees from opting out of union membership. Who are the parties to the suit? The lead plaintiff is Charlene Wagner, a…

On Jan. 2, 2020, a professor at the University of Maine filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court requesting that it overturn a Maine law compelling public-sector employees to accept a union’s representation regardless of their membership status with that union (i.e., exclusive representation). Who are the parties to the suit? The plaintiff is…