GLASS Report: Legislative Action Alert: House Bill 2352: Regular Session 2013-2014

Text [History] [Votes]

Short Title:  An Act prohibiting the use of permanent replacement workers during a labor dispute; prohibiting the use of employment agents and contract employment agencies from recruiting or furnishing employees to permanently replace employees in a labor dispute; providing for injunctive relief and damages; and imposing a penalty.

Prime Sponsor: Representative BRADFORD

Last Action: Referred to LABOR AND INDUSTRY, June 17, 2014 [House]

Memo: Workplace Fairness Act

Printer's No.
3755*

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 27, 2014 12:26 PM
From:	Representative Matthew Bradford
To:	All House members
Subject:	Workplace Fairness Act

­­­­­­­­­­­­ In the near future, I will be introducing The Workplace Fairness Act.  The bill prohibits the use of permanent replacement workers during a labor dispute and prohibits employment agents and contract employment agencies from recruiting or providing employees to permanently replace employees in labor dispute. The use of permanent replacement workers sets the stage for prolonged labor unrest and disruption. When this scenario arises, public resources are required and workplace productivity suffers. The National Labor Relations Act expressly prohibits employers from using termination as a weapon against striking employees.  Nonetheless, employers faced with a legal work stoppage can bypass this prohibition by hiring permanent replacement workers. In reality, there is no practical distinction between prohibited discharge of lawfully striking workers and permanent replacement.  For the worker and employer, the result is prolonged strife and loss of wages and productivity. A violation of the Workplace Fairness Act would be a summary offense and would be subject to a $1,000 fine for each offense. Please join me in this important legislation.