Last month we recapped some of the HR and labor relations bills that passed out of the 2024 legislative session. Here we review a couple of those bills that go into effect on June 6 so that cities can prepare for the changes to the law.
Employer religious & political speech: SB 5778 prohibits an employer from disciplining an employee with adverse employment action for refusing to participate in an employer-sponsored meeting or communication whose purpose is to communicate the employer’s political or religious opinion. Aggrieved employees can bring a civil action against the employer within 90 days of an alleged violation. The bill does not apply to:
- information that the employer is required by law to communicate to employees,
- strictly voluntary employer-sponsored meetings or communications,
- information necessary for an employee to perform their job, or
- employer-sponsored trainings intended to reduce workplace harassment or discrimination.
AWC advocated for the exemption for information necessary for the employee to perform their job, since many city staff must work with and for elected officials – whose job is to express political opinions.
911 operators interest arbitration: SB 5808 amends the Public Employees’ Collective Bargaining Act by expanding the definition of “uniformed personnel” to include public safety telecommunicators like 911 operators. The change allows telecommunicators to access interest arbitration when a CBA negotiation reaches an impasse. As “uniformed personnel” the bill also prohibits telecommunicators from participating in strikes or work slowdowns during a labor dispute. The bill does not apply to public safety telecommunicators that work for a state agency like State Patrol.