Two of the three bills in a package addressing union organizing cleared the House this week.  HB 2891 allows unions to simply collect signed cards from more than 50% of a targeted public employer and then the union must be recognized.  The bill eliminates the secret ballot elections that are standard under the National Labor Relations Act.  Although private business watched with concern, no public employer testified against the bill. 

HB 2893 narrowly passed the House.  This bill prohibits employers from mandating attendance at meetings to discuss the employer’s views on unions.  The National Labor Relations Act has strict provisions addressing communications with workers during an organizing attempt.  This bill will not only eliminate mandatory attendance at meetings, but will eliminate any communication, email, payroll stuffers, etc.  The restriction is so broad that it will eliminate communications on political issues that can impact the workers jobs.  Some are suggesting the bill will have constitutional problems as it relates to free speech. 

A third bill in the package, HB 2892, passed out of committee the same day as the previous two bills, but has not yet been sent to the floor.  HB 2892 will prohibit the use of state funds to promote or deter a union organizing attempt.  Many businesses around Oregon contract with the state to provide goods or services.  Extra attention as to where the proceeds of those contracts go will require those businesses to document that none of the money received from the contract with the state went to union organizing efforts.