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. It also requires that authorizations for salary deductions be renewed annually and prohibits any deductions without valid authorization. Additionally, the bill mandates that employers inform employees of their right to withdraw from labor organizations and provide annual notifications regarding this right.

The legislation further specifies that if an employee does not have an employer-provided email address, alternative methods may be used to confirm authorization for dues deductions. Labor organizations are tasked with covering administrative costs related to the collection of dues and for employees opting out. The bill exempts law enforcement and firefighter services from its provisions and allows employers to seek waivers from the Louisiana Workforce Commission for compliance with certain requirements. All authorizations for dues deductions must be submitted in a specific format, including a statement about the voluntary nature of union membership, and the provisions will take effect after August 1, 2025.

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