CONTROVERSIAL UNION REFORM MEASURES MOVE TO HOUSE FLOOR

The House Oversight and Reform Committee moved a package of bills to the House floor Tuesday in a union member-packed hearing room. The package, House Bill 5023, HB 5024, HB 5025 and HB 5026 were introduced in September 2011.

The hearing was contentious, as previous meetings on the legislative package have been, with Committee Chair Representative Tom McMillin (R-Rochester) originally planning not to permit questions of those who testified. Ultimately, the Chair permitted questioning.

HB 5023 imposes a fine on public employees and their bargaining representatives for illegally striking. The employees would be fined a day’s pay for each day striking, while the bargaining representatives would be fined $5,000 per day. The measure is sponsored by Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto).

HB 5024 prohibits the picketing of a private residence and provides that picketing cannot block the entrance to a place of business or a roadway. The measure is sponsored by Representative McMillin.

HB 5025 would require employees to provide written consent for union dues to be deducted from wages by employers. The measure is sponsored by Representative Earl Poleski (R-Jackson).

HB 5026 would eliminate the requirement that an employer include language in an advertisement that jobs being advertised are to replace workers involved in a labor dispute. The measure is sponsored by Representative Amanda Price (R-Park Township).

All four of the measures passed the Committee on party-line votes of 4 yeas to 2 nays.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, February 3, 2012 9:55 AM
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