Labor & Employment (Collective Bargaining)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 28, 2025

SB 361: An Act providing for duties of public employers relating to public employee information.

SB 361 requires public employers in Pennsylvania to provide employee representatives with specific public employee information, including names, contact details, job titles, and salary data. This applies to all public employees (excluding elected officials, management, and certain religious staff) and must be shared electronically every 120 days or within 21 days for new hires. Employee organizations may only use this information for representation purposes, such as collective bargaining, and cannot sell or share it otherwise. The bill aims to improve transparency in labor relations while giving employee groups access to necessary data for their roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires public employers to share employee data with representatives for collective bargaining, directly advancing workers' right to organize and negotiate.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 113: An Act providing for guidelines and procedures governing certain investigations and interrogations of correctional and forensic employees; authorizing certain civil suits by correctional officers; and providing for impact of collective bargaining agreements and for summary suspensions.

SB 113 establishes new rules for investigating misconduct by Pennsylvania correctional and forensic employees (e.g., prison staff, forensic facility workers). It requires recorded interrogations, informs employees of their right to legal counsel, prohibits using polygraph tests or threatening job loss to compel statements, and mandates paid suspensions during investigations unless criminal charges are filed. The bill ensures union contracts cannot weaken these protections and prohibits retaliation against employees exercising these rights. It also clarifies that investigations must follow specific procedures to protect employee rights during disciplinary processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes procedural safeguards for correctional staff during investigations, protecting rights and preventing retaliation, aligning with corrections reform.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects correctional employees' rights during investigations: requires recorded interrogations, right to counsel, paid suspensions, prohibits retaliation, and ensures union contracts cannot weaken protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 587: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in tax credit and tax benefit administration, further providing for determination of eligibility and method of submission.

SB 587 amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to require that applicants for tax credits or benefits must not have committed "anti-union activity" in the past 10 years. The bill directly affects businesses or individuals seeking state tax credits by adding a new eligibility check. Key provisions define "anti-union activity" to include recent National Labor Relations Board complaints, settlements related to labor violations, or breaches of Pennsylvania's Labor Relations Act. Tax authorities must verify this eligibility before awarding credits, with specific examples provided in the bill. This change takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill disqualifies tax credit applicants with 'anti-union activity', directly protecting workers' rights and collective bargaining by penalizing anti-union conduct.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 621: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, prohibiting tax deductions for anti-union activities.

SB 621 prohibits Pennsylvania businesses from deducting taxes for expenses related to opposing unionization efforts. It specifically blocks deductions for costs tied to National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) complaints, anti-union meetings with employees, or labor law violations. The law applies to corporations and business entities operating in Pennsylvania, including foreign companies. Exceptions allow deductions for legitimate communications with union representatives or shareholders. This changes tax treatment for anti-union activities without altering labor law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts tax deductions for anti-union activities, eliminating a tax benefit for businesses opposing unions, directly limiting tax deductions under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits tax deductions for anti-union activities (NLRB complaints, anti-union meetings), directly supporting workers' collective bargaining rights by increasing costs for union opposition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 854: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in collective bargaining, providing for conflicts of interest.

HB 854 requires school board members to recuse themselves from voting on collective bargaining agreements if their spouse, romantic partner, or household member is part of the bargaining unit covered by that agreement. The bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish this conflict-of-interest rule, directly affecting school board members during contract negotiations. Key provisions mandate automatic recusal for board members with personal ties to the employees covered by the agreement being voted on. The rule takes effect 60 days after enactment, aiming to prevent potential bias in negotiations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates recusal of school board members with personal ties to bargaining units, ensuring fair collective bargaining. This protects the integrity of the process, supporting workers' collective bargaining rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 710: An Act amending the act of July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known as the Public Employe Relations Act, in strikes, providing for health care benefits during strikes.

SB 710 amends Pennsylvania's Public Employe Relations Act. This bill directly affects public employers and their employees who are participating in a strike. Its key provision prohibits public employers from discontinuing health care benefits for public employees during the period they are engaged in a strike. This change ensures the continuation of health coverage for public sector workers during labor disputes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents discontinuation of health benefits during strikes, ensuring continuous coverage for public employees during labor disputes.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents discontinuation of health benefits during strikes, protecting workers' rights and benefits under Labor & Employment policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1255: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing for workers' rights.

HB 1255 proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania's Constitution, adding Section 30 to guarantee employees the right to organize, bargain collectively over wages and working conditions, and protect workplace safety. It specifically prohibits laws that interfere with these rights, including bans on union membership as a condition of employment. The amendment must pass both legislative chambers and then be approved by Pennsylvania voters at the next qualifying election. This would establish a constitutional right affecting all Pennsylvania workers and employers, not just current labor laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGuarantees right to organize, collective bargaining, and workplace safety; prohibits laws interfering with these rights like union membership bans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Workplace Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 757: An Act providing for notice and disclosure of proposed collective bargaining agreements and related documents and for open records.

SB 757 requires public employers in Pennsylvania to publicly post proposed collective bargaining agreements, including cost estimates, on their websites for at least two weeks before signing. It mandates that these agreements become public records accessible online within 48 hours of receipt. The law applies to most public employees (excluding elected officials, management staff, and police/fire unions under separate law) and makes agreements unenforceable if proper notice isn't provided. This aims to increase transparency around public sector pay, benefits, and working conditions.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires public disclosure of collective bargaining agreements, enhancing transparency and protecting workers' right to informed negotiations per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Tags Government Transparency

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 495: An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, in compensation, further providing for qualifications required to secure compensation and for ineligibility for compensation.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation law to clarify eligibility rules. It adds a 30-day benefit exclusion for claimants unemployed due to labor disputes (excluding lockouts), and clarifies that workers who leave jobs due to company union requirements, unfair labor conditions, or military spouse relocation needs remain eligible. The law also defines "suitable employment" as work requiring comparable skills and paying at least 80% of prior wages. These changes directly affect workers filing for unemployment benefits and employers processing claims. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies eligibility for workers leaving due to unfair labor conditions, union requirements, or military spouse needs, and defines 'suitable employment' with 80% wage standard, strengthening unemployment benefits access.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Unemployment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 10, 2025

SB 828: An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Buy American Grant Program and the Buy American Grant Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development.

SB 828 creates a program that reimburses Pennsylvania local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) for up to 20% of the cost of purchasing "union-made" vehicles. A vehicle is "union-made" if it was assembled in the U.S. at a facility operating under a collective bargaining agreement. The program, administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development, uses a state fund financed by state appropriations and other sources, with grants awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out. Local governments must apply for reimbursement and provide proof the vehicles meet the "union-made" definition.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses state appropriations to fund a new grant program for local governments, increasing targeted government spending under budget management.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates grants for 'union-made' vehicles (assembled under collective bargaining), directly advancing labor rights and supporting unionized workplaces through procurement incentives.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationReimburses local governments for union-made vehicle purchases, directly funding transportation fleet procurement under transportation infrastructure context.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Collective Bargaining Vehicle Registration

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