Hearing held to review legislation seeking to support rights of non-union public sector workers

State Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) recently led a public hearing on House Bill 2571, which aims to protect public sector employees who do not wish to contribute to the representative union where they work.

The legislation was introduced following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that forcibly collecting union dues from non-members is a violation of the workers’ First Amendment rights. Under the ruling, public employees can no longer be forced to pay a fair share fee or any other money to a public labor union.

“I think many employees are still under the assumption that they need to join a public union based on their occupation, which is not the case,” Kauffman, chair of the House Labor and Industry Committee, said. “House Bill 2571 seeks to ensure all employees are informed of their right not to participate and pay dues. This would not prevent or dissuade anyone from joining a union, but simply let them know it is not mandatory.”

House Bill 2571 would direct public sector employers to notify non-union members of the Supreme Court decision, that fees to the union are now voluntary and that employment status will not be affected by the decision of whether or not to join a union.

The legislation would also prohibit government payroll departments from being used to collect voluntary fees from non-union members.

The bill would not affect private-sector employers, employees or unions and does not change the right of public sector unions to organize, bargain or collect dues from consenting members.

Testifiers at the hearing included representatives from The Fairness Center, Americans for Fair Treatment, Americans for Prosperity, SEIU Local 668, Pennsylvania School Boards Association and Pennsylvania State Education Association.