Some Georgia workers would find it harder to become union members under a new bill

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia lawmakers are making it harder for workers at companies receiving state economic incentives to form unions, potentially violating federal law. be.

The state House voted 96-78 Wednesday to pass Senate Bill 362, which prohibits companies that accept state incentives from recognizing labor unions unless they hold a formal secret ballot election. The bill is supported by Gov. Brian Kemp and now goes to Republican governors for signature.

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The bill would prevent unions from gaining recognition directly from companies without requiring the signatures of a majority of workers and the additional step of a secret ballot, commonly known as a card check.

The proposal comes as Georgia is giving billions of dollars in economic incentives to electric vehicle manufacturers and other companies.

Union leaders and Democrats argue that the bill violates the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, which governs union organizing.

“If this bill passes, there will be lawsuits that will cost Georgia taxpayers millions of dollars and our state will lose,” state Rep. Saira Draper, D-Atlanta, said Wednesday on the House floor. Probably.”

The National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that oversees union issues, declined to comment.

Democrats say the bill’s real purpose is to make it harder for labor unions to organize and for companies to accept unions. Other Democrats also took to the House floor to argue that the bill would hurt Georgia businesses by discouraging workers from other states from moving to Georgia.

“Why do something anti-labor when we need to bring in more workers from every available source?” asked Rep. Greg Kennard of Lawrenceville.

Republicans denied the bill was anti-labor, saying it was aimed at protecting workers’ privacy. Some, including Kemp, argue that secret ballots prevent workers from being bullied into joining unions.

“There’s nothing in this bill that would prevent unionization,” said Rep. Sue Hong, D-Lawrenceville. “We will ensure that when the state invests state resources to promote job creation, hard-working Georgians in those jobs have the power to decide whether to be represented by a union. To do.”

Only 4.4% of Georgia workers are union members, the eighth lowest rate among states.

Georgia’s bill is modeled on a law passed in Tennessee last year, but many other states could introduce similar legislation. The conservative American Legislative Exchange Council is promoting the idea. The national push could also be a response to last year’s decision by the Democratic-led NLRB to make it easier for unions to organize through card checks.

Other Southern states traditionally hostile to organized labor come as the United Auto Workers vows a new push to organize nonunion auto plants after multiple failed attempts. Governors and others have also spoken out against labor unions.

Alabama’s Republican Governor Kay Ivey said the state’s economic success is “under attack.” South Carolina’s Republican governor, Henry McMaster, told lawmakers last month in the nation’s least unionized state that organized labor is a huge threat and he plans to fight unions “to the gates of hell.” That’s what he said.

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In a January speech to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Kemp expressed support for the bill, echoing the chamber’s own agenda. He said the measure would protect workers’ “right to opportunity” from President Joe Biden’s pro-union policies and outside forces “who only want to see free markets come to a screeching halt.” Ta.

Alabama and South Carolina are among five states that have passed state constitutional amendments guaranteeing union access to secret ballots. Indiana passed a state law similar to Tennessee.