SB 641 - This act creates a collective bargaining process for public employees. The act authorizes police and teachers to form and join unions in order to bargain with employers.
Under the act, the Commissioner of Administration shall appoint a chief negotiator to represent the state in negotiating and administering all labor contracts entered into by the state. Employees may refuse to join employee organizations. Those who join the organizations and object to the fees are afforded certain protections.
Certain individuals are not allowed to join the employee organizations including elected officials, representatives of a public body, confidential employees, students working part-time, temporary employees, judges, employees of a legislative body, and patients and inmates.
Bargaining units recognized prior to January 1, 2007, shall continue to be recognized and all agreements in place upon the effective date will continue to be binding. The state board of mediation is charged with recognizing appropriate bargaining units for certain occupational groups.
Guidelines for bargaining are provided and impasses shall be solved through mediation and arbitration.
Strikes are prohibited.
This act is similar to SB 120 (2001), and HB 601 (2007).
CHRIS HOGERTY