ATLANTA (March 26, 2013) – The Georgia State Senate passed House Bill 361 today by a vote of 36-16. HB 361, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta), prohibits certain acts involving labor unions and collective bargaining. This was Sen. Beach’s first bill on the Senate floor, and as tradition he was given a hard time by colleagues during the introduction of the bill.
“Georgia is on the fast track to cementing our status as the economic hub of the southeast,” said Sen. Beach. “House Bill 361 will solidify Georgia’s stance as a right to work state by protecting employee’s rights and boosting market competition. With the passage of this bill, our state will remain an attractive home for businesses while also contributing to our economic and unemployment recovery.”
Current law states that workers only have one time a year to opt out of automatic payroll deductions that go toward union dues. House Bill 361 will allow workers to opt out at any time from these automatic deductions. The bill will exempt any contract or collective bargaining agreement currently in place as well as any professional association composed exclusively of educators or law enforcement officers.
HB 361 also seeks to clarify and reinforce specific rights under federal law of employers, employees and labor unions regarding unionization, collective bargaining or other labor relation issues.
HB 361 will now head to Governor Nathan Deal’s desk for final approval.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 26, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Emily Williams, Communications Associate
Emily.Williams@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028