House Bill No. 572, introduced by Representative Crews, seeks to amend existing labor laws in Louisiana by prohibiting collective bargaining agreements for public officers and employees. The bill specifically states that no state, parish, city, town, or governmental body shall have the authority to recognize any labor union or employee association as a bargaining agent for public officers or employees. This includes the prohibition of entering into any collective bargaining contracts or memoranda of understanding regarding employment terms and conditions. However, the bill provides exceptions for law enforcement and firefighter services, which are exempt from these prohibitions.

In addition to the prohibitions, the bill also defines key terms such as "employer," "federal labor laws," and "governmental body." The definitions clarify the scope of the law and the rights protected under federal labor laws, including the rights of employers and employees regarding unionization and confidentiality of employee information. The proposed law retains existing definitions while adding new provisions to enhance clarity and enforceability. Overall, the bill aims to limit collective bargaining rights for public sector employees while maintaining certain protections for specific public safety roles.

Statutes affected:
HB572 Original:
HB572 Engrossed: 23:984(D)