This bill amends the public employee labor relations laws regarding the voting procedures for collective bargaining units. It introduces a requirement for recertification of exclusive representatives when a majority of members in a bargaining unit have never voted on the issue of collective representation. Specifically, the bill mandates that certification remains valid but must be recertified by a majority vote of the bargaining unit when these new members become the majority. Additionally, the Department of Labor is tasked with notifying each bargaining unit when this situation arises. The bill also stipulates that all members of a bargaining unit must participate in recertification votes and any votes regarding changes in bargaining representation. Furthermore, if a majority votes to decertify the unit, a new bargaining unit can be established within 12 months.
The bill also includes provisions to ensure that all members have equal participation in the organization and outlines the process for decertification in cases of discrimination. It requires documentation of votes to be submitted to the Department of Labor within 30 days. Notably, the bill does not allocate funding for the additional administrative tasks it imposes on the Department of Labor and the Public Employee Labor Relations Board, which may require new systems and potentially additional staff to manage the recertification process. The estimated fiscal impact indicates that expenditures for local and county governments could increase significantly due to the need for coordination and potential legal assistance related to the new voting procedures.
Statutes affected: Introduced: 273-A:10