Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB3539

Introduced
5/18/23  

Caption

Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act

Impact

The enactment of HB 3539 would introduce significant changes to the labor landscape for public safety officers across various states. States would be required to comply with the standards set forth by the bill, which may prompt states that currently lack such protections or that have less stringent laws to amend their regulations. The bill emphasizes the importance of public safety employer-employee cooperation, which advocates argue is crucial for effective emergency responses and maintenance of workforce morale. As a result, it is expected to lead to improved working conditions for public safety officers, which in turn could enhance service delivery to the public.

Summary

House Bill 3539, titled the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, aims to ensure collective bargaining rights for public safety officers, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. The bill establishes specific rights and responsibilities for these officers, allowing them to form and join labor organizations, negotiate employment conditions, and engage in binding arbitration in case of negotiations impasses. Additionally, it requires public safety employers to recognize their respective labor organizations and commit to labor agreements in writing, thus reinforcing labor relations in the public safety sector.

Contention

However, the bill faces some contention. Critics express concerns over the potential administrative burden on states, particularly those with existing right-to-work laws or varying levels of collective bargaining rights for public safety officials. Opponents worry that the federal standard may infringe upon states’ rights to legislate labor relations independently or could lead to heavy scrutiny of state laws that don't align with new federal mandates. This could potentially lead to conflict between state and federal jurisdictions regarding employees' rights and local governance.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB1505

Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act

US SB636

Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act

US HB20

Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2023 This bill expands various labor protections related to employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace. Among other things, it (1) revises the definitions of employee, supervisor, and employer to broaden the scope of individuals covered by the fair labor standards; (2) permits labor organizations to encourage participation of union members in strikes initiated by employees represented by a different labor organization (i.e., secondary strikes); and (3) prohibits employers from bringing claims against unions that conduct such secondary strikes. The bill also allows collective bargaining agreements to require all employees represented by the bargaining unit to contribute fees to the labor organization for the cost of such representation, notwithstanding a state law to the contrary; and expands unfair labor practices to include prohibitions against replacement of, or discrimination against, workers who participate in strikes. The bill makes it an unfair labor practice to require or coerce employees to attend employer meetings designed to discourage union membership and prohibits employers from entering into agreements with employees under which employees waive the right to pursue or a join collective or class-action litigation. The bill further prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against an employee, including employees with management responsibilities, in response to that employee participating in protected activities related to the enforcement of the prohibitions against unfair labor practices (i.e., whistleblower protections). Such protected activities include providing information about a potential violation to an enforcement agency, participating in an enforcement proceeding, initiating a proceeding concerning an alleged violation or assisting in such a proceeding, or refusing to participate in an activity the employee reasonably believes is a violation of labor laws. Finally, the bill addresses the procedures for union representation elections, provides employees with the ability to vote in such elections remotely by telephone or the internet, modifies the protections against unfair labor practices that result in serious economic harm, and establishes penalties and permits injunctive relief against entities that fail to comply with National Labor Relations Board orders.

US HB2700

Employee Rights Act

US HB4046

CARE Act of 2023 Children’s Act for Responsible Employment and Farm Safety of 2023

US HB319

Legal Workforce Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after and to replace the E-Verify system, which allows employers and recruiters to verify the immigration status of individuals. The bill also mandates the use of such a system, where currently only some employers, such as those with federal contracts, are required to use E-Verify. The bill specifies documents that can establish an individual's identity and employment authorization. During the period starting when a job offer is made until three business days after hiring, the individual must attest to his or her employment authorization, and the employer or recruiter must attest that it has examined the individual's required documents. Employers shall reverify certain types of employees who were not previously verified using E-verify. The Social Security Administration shall notify employees if their Social Security number has been used multiple times in an unusual manner. DHS shall establish programs for blocking and suspending misused numbers. Employers that are required to use the verification system shall not be liable for any employment-related action based on a good-faith reliance on the information from the system. The bill establishes a phased-in participation deadline for different categories of employers, including agricultural employers. The bill increases civil penalties related to hiring individuals without work authorization. It also preempts state laws relating to hiring and employment eligibility verification, but states may use their authority of business licensing to penalize employers for failing to comply with the bill's provisions.

US HR507

Congratulating the National Treasury Employees Union on its 85th anniversary and commending the dedication shown Federal employees and continued service provided by the National Treasury Employees Union and the members of the National Treasury Employees Union.

US HB4720

Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment Opportunity Act of 2023

US HB2840

AID Youth Employment Act Assisting In Developing Youth Employment Act

US SB2768

SAVE Act Safety From Violence for Healthcare Employees Act

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