Tag: Union Station

U.S. House of Representatives votes to let staff bargain collectively  The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to allow staff to unionize and bargain collectively.  About the resolution Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.) sponsored House Resolution 1096, which was introduced and passed on May 10. The House voted 217-202 along party lines to adopt the…

On April 28, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued decisions in three cases we’re tracking related to public-sector union policy. In each case, the judges upheld the decision of the district court.  About the cases  The panel—Senior U.S. Circuit Judge Richard Paez, U.S. Circuit Judge Jacqueline Nguyen,…

The “Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act,” SB22-230, was introduced in the Colorado state Senate on April 25.  About the bill SB22-230 would give county employees the right to join a union and bargain collectively beginning in 2023. It would not permit employees to strike.  The bill’s prime sponsors are Senate President Stephen Fenberg (D),…

Musician Glen Wilkofsky sued the American Federation of Musicians, Local 45, and the Allentown Symphony Association on April 11, alleging that the Supreme Court’s 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision should apply to symphony association employees. Depending on the outcome of the case, it could have implications for employees of other grant-receiving organizations who bargain under…

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signs bill prohibiting public spending on union activities   On April 6, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed SB1166, prohibiting public-sector employers from spending public funds on a union’s political or lobbying activities.  About the bill Sen. Vince Leach (R) introduced SB1166 on Jan. 13, 2022. The bill states, “A public employer…

U.S. district judge dismisses Illinois teacher’s claim that public-sector unions must inform employees of Janus rights    On March 28, Judge John F. Kness of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois dismissed an Illinois teacher’s lawsuit claiming that, under the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, public-sector unions are…

The Supreme Court has 122 cases up for consideration during today’s conference, including three challenges to mandatory state bar association dues. Here’s a rundown of each of those cases. To follow along, keep an eye out for the order list to be posted here on Monday.  Taylor v. Heath In this case, Michigan attorney Lucille…

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) president Randi Weingarten and American Association of University Professors (AAUP) president Irene Mulvey met with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) on March 21 about a proposed bill that would expand public-sector collective bargaining in Colorado.  Background  The bill, which has not been introduced, would expand public-sector collective bargaining in Colorado…

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) signed Senate Bill 297 on March 7, amending a partially-blocked teachers union dues law.  The backstory Holcomb signed Republican-sponsored Senate Bill 251 on April 22, 2021, enacting a law that says, “A school employee has the right to resign from, and end any financial obligation to, a school employee organization…

Florida Senate committee declines to take up House-passed public-sector union bill   The Florida House of Representatives passed HB 1197 on March 4. It was referred to the Senate Rules Committee, which did not take the bill up during its last scheduled meeting of the session on March 8.  About the bill Republican Reps. Cord Byrd…