This bill amends the 1947 Public Act 336, which governs the rights and responsibilities of public employees and their employers regarding labor organization and collective bargaining. Key changes include the insertion of new provisions that clarify the rights of public employees to organize, engage in collective bargaining, and refrain from such activities without coercion. Specifically, public employees are granted the right to organize and negotiate collectively while also being protected from intimidation or coercion related to their membership in labor organizations. Violations of these rights can result in civil fines of up to $500, which will be deposited into the general fund.

Additionally, the bill modifies the obligations of public employers and labor organizations, emphasizing the need for good faith bargaining while delineating prohibited subjects of bargaining, particularly in the context of public school employers. It also introduces requirements for exclusive bargaining representatives to have their financial expenditures verified by an independent examiner annually, ensuring transparency in the costs associated with collective bargaining. The bill further stipulates that any agreements requiring public employees to pay fees to labor organizations must comply with the new provisions, and it establishes that any agreements violating these provisions are unlawful and unenforceable.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 423.209