Union Station: March 12, 2021
March 12, 2021
 Welcome to Union StationMarch 12, 2021Welcome to Union Station, our weekly newsletter that keeps you abreast of the legislation, national trends, and public debate surrounding public-sector union policy. 
Three public-sector union bills advance from state senatesSince our last newsletter, three public-sector union bills have advanced from state senates in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Of the 83 pieces of public-sector employee union legislation that we are currently tracking, eight have passed upper chambers so far this year. Here’s a run-down of the three most recent bills. Arkansas SB341The Arkansas state Senate passed Republican-sponsored SB341 on March 9. This bill would prohibit collective bargaining for public-sector employees. SB341 says in part: (a) A public employer shall not recognize a labor union or other public employee association as a bargaining agent of public employees. (b) A public employer shall not collectively bargain or enter into any collective bargaining contract with a labor union or other public employee association or its agents with respect to any matter relating to public employees, public employees' employment with a public employer, or public employees' tenure with a public employer. The bill was referred to the Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee in February and amended on March 4. The Senate passed the bill 24-6 along party lines. It was referred to the House Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee on March 9 and amended on March 11. To view the latest version of the bill, click here. Republicans have had trifecta control of Arkansas state government since 2015. Oklahoma SB634The Oklahoma state Senate passed SB634 on March 4. This Republican-sponsored bill would require annual authorizations for payroll dues deductions for school employees. Employee authorization forms would state: I am aware that I have a First Amendment right, as recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court, to refrain from joining and paying dues or making political contributions to a professional employee organization. I further realize that membership and payment of dues or political contributions are voluntary and that I may not be discriminated against for my refusal to join or financially support a professional employee organization. I hereby authorize my employer to deduct dues and/or political contributions from my salary in the amounts specified in accordance with my professional employee organization’s bylaws. I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any time. SB634 was referred to the Senate Education Committee at the beginning of February. The bill was then referred to the Judiciary Committee, where it was amended. To view the current text of the bill, click here. The Senate approved SB634 25-21, with 12 Republicans voting against it. It was referred to the House on March 8. Republicans have had a trifecta in Oklahoma since 2011. Tennessee SJR0002Republican-sponsored SJR0002, a proposed right to work constitutional amendment, passed the Tennessee state Senate on March 8. The amendment would add the following new section to Article XI of the state constitution: It is unlawful for any person, corporation, association, or this state or its political subdivisions to deny or attempt to deny employment to any person by reason of the person's membership in, affiliation with, resignation from, or refusal to join or affiliate with any labor union or employee organization. The Senate Judiciary Committee recommended the bill for adoption on Feb. 9, and the Commerce And Labor Committee did the same on Feb. 23. The Senate passed the bill 24-7 on March 8. One Republican, Todd Gardenhire, voted against it. If the bill receives a two-thirds approval vote in the House, where Republicans hold a 73-26 majority, it will appear on the Nov. 8, 2022 ballot. The legislature passed the amendment in 2020 in the first part of the two-session amendment process, which required a simple majority vote in each chamber. Tennessee Republicans have had a trifecta in the state since 2011. In 2020, states passed five pieces of legislation dealing with public-sector employee union policy. By mid-March, four bills had passed lower chambers and three had passed both chambers.  What We're Reading
The Big PictureNumber of relevant bills by stateWe are currently tracking 83 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 statusNumber of relevant bills by partisan status of sponsor(s)
Recent Legislative ActionsBelow is a complete list of relevant legislative actions taken since our last issue.
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