SENATE FILE 216

BY  FEENSTRA

A BILL FOR

An Act prohibiting government agencies and officials from collecting dues on behalf of labor unions and making a penalty applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

   Section 1.  Section 20.9, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   The public employer and the employee organization shall meet at reasonable times, including meetings reasonably in advance of the public employer’s budget-making process, to negotiate in good faith with respect to wages, hours, vacations, insurance, holidays, leaves of absence, shift differentials, overtime compensation, supplemental pay, seniority, transfer procedures, job classifications, health and safety matters, evaluation procedures, procedures for staff reduction, in-service training and other matters mutually agreed upon. Negotiations shall also include terms authorizing dues checkoff for members of the employee organization and grievance procedures for resolving any questions arising under the agreement, which shall be embodied in a written agreement and signed by the parties. If an agreement provides for dues checkoff, a member’s dues may be checked off only upon the member’s written request and the member may terminate the dues checkoff at any time by giving thirty days’ written notice. Such obligation to negotiate in good faith does not compel either party to agree to a proposal or make a concession.
   Sec. 2.  Section 70A.17A, subsection 3, Code 2011, is amended by striking the subsection.
   Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  731.10  Collection of union dues by government officials or agencies prohibited.
   It shall be unlawful for any official or agency of this state or a political subdivision of this state to collect dues, charges, fees, contributions, fines, or assessments on behalf of any labor union, labor association, or labor organization.
   Sec. 4.  REPEAL.  Section 70A.19, Code 2011, is repealed.
EXPLANATION
   This bill prohibits an official or agency of this state or its political subdivisions from collecting dues, charges, fees, contributions, fines, or assessments on behalf of any labor union, labor association, or labor organization. A violation of the prohibition is a serious misdemeanor pursuant to Code section 731.6. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $315 but not more than $1,875.
   The bill removes dues checkoffs from the scope of negotiations for collective bargaining agreements under Code chapter 20.
   The bill repeals Code sections 70A.17A(3) and 70A.19 relating to payroll deductions by state employees who are union members, but retains payroll deductions by state employees who are professional or trade organization members.