COMMITTEE
HB 1366 -- COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
SPONSOR: May (108)
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Labor by
a vote of 14 to 8.
This bill requires a public body to bargain in good faith
whenever the body is presented with a labor proposal from a
labor organization of public employees. The bill defines the
phrase "bargaining in good faith" as the act of negotiating for
the purpose of reaching an agreement.
The substitute allows police, deputy sheriffs, and public school
teachers to form and join labor organizations.
FISCAL NOTE: Partial Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue of
$771,670 in FY 97, $767,535 in FY 98, and $765,418 in FY 99.
Estimated Net Cost to Insurance Dedicated Fund of $79,240 in FY
97, $79,486 in FY 98, and $81,517 in FY 99. Estimated Net Cost
to Conservation Commission Fund of $124,342 in FY 97, $83,904 in
FY 98, and $86,038 in FY 99. Estimated Net Effect on Road Fund
is Unknown in FY 97, FY 98, and FY 99. Estimated Net Effect on
Highway Fund is Unknown in FY 97, FY 98, & FY 99.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the substitute simply grants
peace officers and teachers the same rights as any other person.
Further, the substitute would require the two sides to actually
meet and have at least some dialogue. What often happens
currently is one side walks up to the other side and says "No"
and leaves. That's not a negotiation. This substitute would
require a true meeting and conference between the two sides.
Testifying for the bill were Representative May (108); Missouri
State Council of Firefighters; AFL-CIO; and Fraternal Order of
Police.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that there already is
a balanced, fair framework for public employees' labor
concerns. The Supreme Court has ruled that the separation of
powers doctrine prevents the contracting away of labor
conditions by the executive branch. The bill would interfere
with the appropriations process. It would put government under
the control of a bargaining group. In effect, it would take
away decision-making authority from elected public officials.
It's an adversarial process, by definition. It requires fact--
finders, mediators, lawyers, etc., making the whole process --
and the results -- very costly.
Testifying against the bill were Missouri Municipal League;
Missouri Chamber of Commerce; and Missouri Association of School
Administrators.
Richard Smreker, Research Analyst