HELENA (UM Legislative News Service) — Union leaders and members from across the state testified in droves Friday against a bill that would make unions operate more like subscription services.
House Bill 168, sponsored by Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, would require union members to sign an annual contract to allow the union to charge dues.
Rep. Greg Frazer, R-Deer Lodge, who worked at Montana State Prison, testified against the bill, saying it would create a logistical nightmare.
“Don’t make my job any more difficult,” Frazer said. “It’s hard enough as it is.”
Montana Federation of Public Employees President Amanda Curtis said the bill was redundant, as members already sign a consent form when they join.
“There’s a gray box that says ‘I consent to membership and to have dues deducted, and I understand my right to withdraw per this policy,’” Curtis said.
Henry Kriegel, representing Americans for Prosperity, a conservative lobbying group, was the bill’s sole proponent. Kriegel hailed the bill as protection for Montana workers’ first-amendment rights.
The bill would also remove “exclusive representation,” which is the process by which a union represents every employee in the workplace regardless of their union affiliation.
Kriegel compared the move to opening a free market for unions. He said that if unions wanted to recruit and retain members, they would have to negotiate better deals than their competitors. He did not suggest how unions would be able to do that.
Curtis said rescinding exclusive representation would create confusion for employers who would suddenly have to negotiate on conditions and salaries for both regular employees and union members.
The committee is expected to vote on the bill next Friday, but chairman Rep. Mark Noland, R-Bigfork, said the committee may vote Wednesday.
James Bradley is a reporter with the UM Legislative News Service, a partnership of the University of Montana School of Journalism, the Montana Broadcasters Association, the Montana Newspaper Association and the Greater Montana Foundation.
