Missoula County opposes HB 168, Generally revise laws related to union fees, up for hearing at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow, in the House Business and Labor committee.
When the Supreme Court decided AFSCME v. Janus, they removed union representation fees, which has been implemented across the country by employers. This bill seeks to clarify some of the language in state law to comply with Janus and those clean up pieces are needed. However, this bill goes further than Janus and would require employers to collect from union members affirmations to allow the collection of dues beyond the required union membership card they voluntarily sign. HB 168 goes so far as to require employers to conduct this process each year for all members.
In Missoula County’s case, that would result in more than 644 employees being contacted each year. HB 168 does not specify if this process needs to be done once per calendar year, fiscal year, on the anniversary of the employee’s hire or the anniversary of joining the union.
HB 168 will create an additional burden on local governments, by creating an additional annual fee that is unnecessary since members may already join and leave unions at their choosing.
Sent Jan. 21:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives Sullivan, Curdy and Olsen,
Missoula County opposes HB 168, Generally revise laws related to union fees, up for hearing at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow, in the House Business and Labor committee.
When the Supreme Court decided AFSCME v. Janus, they removed union representation fees, which has been implemented across the country by employers. This bill seeks to clarify some of the language in state law to comply with Janus and those clean up pieces are needed. However, this bill goes further than Janus and would require employers to collect from union members affirmations to allow the collection of dues beyond the required union membership card they voluntarily sign. HB 168 goes so far as to require employers to conduct this process each year for all members.
In Missoula County’s case, that would result in more than 644 employees being contacted each year. HB 168 does not specify if this process needs to be done once per calendar year, fiscal year, on the anniversary of the employee’s hire or the anniversary of joining the union.
HB 168 will create an additional burden on local governments, by creating an additional annual fee that is unnecessary since members may already join and leave unions at their choosing.
Please oppose HB 168.