House Bill No. 293, introduced by Representative Melerine, amends existing laws concerning the collection of labor organization dues and fees for teachers, school employees, and public employees in Louisiana. The bill allows these employees to stop the withholding of dues or fees from their wages immediately by submitting a written or electronic request to their employer, who must then notify the relevant labor organization and cease deductions to prevent further debt. Additionally, the bill requires that all authorizations for salary deductions be renewed annually and prohibits deductions without valid authorization. Employers are also mandated to inform employees of their rights to withdraw from labor organizations and provide annual notifications regarding this right.

The legislation introduces specific requirements for the authorization and collection of dues, including the stipulation that if an employee does not have an employer-provided email address, alternative methods may be used for confirming authorization. Labor organizations are tasked with covering administrative costs related to dues collection and for employees opting out. The bill retains existing provisions for salary deductions while ensuring employees can cease deductions upon request. It also allows employers to petition the Louisiana Workforce Commission for waivers of compliance with certain requirements if they conflict with federal law regarding mass transit employees. Notably, the provisions do not apply to law enforcement and firefighters and will take effect after August 1, 2025, for new or modified collective bargaining agreements.

Statutes affected:
HB293 Original:
HB293 Engrossed:
HB293 Reengrossed: