House Bill No. 293, introduced by Representative Melerine, seeks to amend existing laws concerning the collection of labor organization dues and fees from teachers, school employees, and public employees in Louisiana. The bill allows these employees to submit a written or electronic request to their employer to immediately stop the withholding of union dues or fees from their wages. Upon receiving such a request, employers must notify the relevant labor organization and cease further deductions. Additionally, any authorization for salary deductions is limited to one year and must be renewed annually, rendering any prior authorizations invalid. The bill also requires employers to inform employees of their rights to withdraw from labor organizations and outlines specific requirements for the authorization forms used for deductions, including a statement about the employees' First Amendment rights.

Moreover, the bill establishes new requirements for collective bargaining agreements, mandating that they include provisions that inform employees of their rights regarding union membership and dues. Employers are required to provide annual notifications to employees about their right to cease payment of dues and withdraw from union membership. The law also prohibits employers from deducting union dues without confirmation of authorization via the employee's employer-provided email address, with alternative methods allowed if the employee lacks an email address. Notably, the provisions of the bill do not apply to law enforcement and firefighters, and they will take effect for new or modified collective bargaining agreements after August 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
HB293 Original: