Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act Reintroduced in House and Senate with IFPTE Endorsement

This week, IFPTE requested Senators and Representatives to cosponsor the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act (PSFNA), legislation that ensures that state, county, and local public sector employees will have unionization and collective bargaining rights. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Rep. Cartwright (D-PA), and Rep. Fitzpatrick. 

IFPTE President Matt Biggs was quoted in Senator Hirono’s press release, saying the legislation “recognizes that unions are in the public interest and that public sector unions help deliver better public services. At a time when workers are exercising their right to organize unions, negotiate for fair working conditions, and reinvigorate the labor movement, far too many state and local public sector employees are prohibited from unionizing and bargaining collectively. IFPTE looks forward to building strong support for this much-needed legislation.”  

As stated in IFPTE’s letter to Members of Congress, PSFNA “will enable the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to intervene and determine if public sector employers infringed on the rights of their employees” and “allows for a private right of action to force compliance in the federal courts absent the FLRA filing suit.” IFPTE’s letter also lists provisions in the bill:

  • Allow for union dues deduction for members of a collective bargaining unit;

  • Outlaws the ‘free rider’ Janus decision allowing workers in a collective bargaining unit to enjoy the benefits negotiated by the union without paying union dues;

  • Give workers the right to organize and join unions in public sector workplaces, and collectively bargain over wages, benefits, and working conditions;

  • Ensure employer recognition of the union following a vote in favor of union representation by members of a collective bargaining unit;

  • Establish an impartial process for resolving impasses between the union and the employer;

  • Provide payroll deduction for union dues; and

  • Prevent mandated or employer-forced recertification union elections.

Read IFPTE’s letter here.

Government, Labor RightsCandace RhettPSFNA, public sector workers, Senator Hirono, FLRA