Both the upper and lower chambers of the Massachusetts General Court are considering the bill simultaneously
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Welcome to _Union Station_, our weekly newsletter that keeps you abreast of the legislation, national trends, and public debate surrounding public-sector union policy.

_Ballotpedia has expanded its coverage of the coronavirus pandemic to keep readers updated on America's Path to Recovery. We're providing readers information on the varied and shifting efforts to manage the effect of the virus with a free daily email ([link removed]) and comprehensive articles on our website. View the latest updates here ([link removed]) ._



** MASSACHUSETTS STATE LEGISLATOR PROPOSES BILL GIVING LIABILITY PROTECTIONS TO UNIONS DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK
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On April 23, Sen. Paul Feeney ([link removed]) (D) introduced S2700 ([link removed]) , which would grant liability protections to unions that advise their members of their right to refuse to work due to abnormally dangerous conditions.


** WHAT DOES THE BILL PROPOSE?
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Section 2 of the bill proposes that "it shall be unlawful to file a civil action for damages against any employee organization or union for advising their bargaining unit members of their right to refuse to work because of an abnormally dangerous condition at the place of the employment."

The legislation would also grant liability protections to construction contractors and sub-contractors. It would take effect immediately upon passage and apply retroactively to any claims arising during the COVID-19 state of emergency ([link removed]) , which was declared by Gov. Charlie Baker (R) on March 10.


** WHAT COMES NEXT?
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Both the upper and lower chambers of the Massachusetts General Court are considering the bill simultaneously. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, where it is awaiting action.

POLITICAL CONTEXT: Massachusetts has a divided government. Gov. Charlie Baker is a Republican. Democrats, meanwhile, have veto-proof supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature.


** MINNESOTA PUBLIC-SECTOR WORKERS SUE FOR REFUNDS OF PREVIOUSLY PAID UNION FEES
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On May 8, six Minnesota state workers filed two class action lawsuits in U.S. district court against their unions. The plaintiffs want the unions to refund an estimated $19 million in fees paid before the U.S. Supreme Court's 2018 Janus v. AFSCME ([link removed]) decision.


** WHO ARE THE PARTIES TO THE SUITS?
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Brown v. AFSCME Council 5 ([link removed]) (0:20-cv-01127):

* Plaintiffs: Eric Brown, a Department of Health employee; Jody Tuchtenhagen, a Department of Human Services Employee; and Debbie Schultz, a Department of Vehicle Services employee.

* Representation: Greenberg Traurig; LLP; Liberty Justice Center ([link removed]) ; National Right to Work Foundation ([link removed]) ; Upper Midwest Law Center ([link removed]) .

* Defendant: American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 5.

* AFSCME Council 5 ([link removed]) is a union representing more than 43,000 state and local government employees in Minnesota.

Fellows v. MAPE ([link removed]) (0:20-cv-01128):

* Plaintiffs: Mark Fellows, a Department of Human Services employee; Catherine Wyatt, a former Department of Revenue employee; and Alicia Bonner, a Department of Employment and Economic Development employee.

* Representation: Greenberg Traurig; LLP; Liberty Justice Center; National Right to Work Foundation; Upper Midwest Law Center.

* Defendant: Minnesota Association of Professional Employees

* MAPE ([link removed]) is a union representing about 12,500 professional public-sector employees.


** WHAT IS AT ISSUE, AND WHAT COMES NEXT?
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In both suits, attorneys for the plaintiffs argue the unions illegally compelled employees within their bargaining units to pay union fees. They argue that, after the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Harris v. Quinn ([link removed]) in 2014, the unions "should have known that [their] agency fee seizures may violate public employees' First Amendment rights." In _Harris v. Quinn_, the court struck down an Illinois statute compelling a specific class of home healthcare workers to pay fees to the Service Employees International Union.

The cases are both pending adjudication in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.

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** WHAT WE'VE BEEN READING
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* WAMU, "The Pandemic Is Inspiring A Wave Of Unionization Efforts. Will It Lead To Greater Protections?" May 13, 2020 ([link removed])
* Portland Press Herald, "Government and union officials plead for financial aid for local governments," May 12, 2020 ([link removed])
* The Center Square, "Public employees sue unions for $19 million in post-Janus case," May 11, 2020 ([link removed])
* Las Vegas Review-Journal, "EDITORIAL: Union membership plummets after workers learn they can leave," May 10, 2020 ([link removed])


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** THE BIG PICTURE
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** _NUMBER OF RELEVANT BILLS BY STATE_
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We are currently tracking 95 pieces of legislation dealing with public-sector employee union policy. On the map below, a darker shade of green indicates a greater number of relevant bills. Click here ([link removed]) for a complete list of all the bills we're tracking.




** _NUMBER OF RELEVANT BILLS BY CURRENT LEGISLATIVE STATUS_
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** _NUMBER OF RELEVANT BILLS BY PARTISAN STATUS OF SPONSOR(S)_
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** RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
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Below is a complete list of relevant legislative actions taken since our last issue. Bills are listed in alphabetical order, first by state, then by bill number. The partisan affiliation of bill sponsor(s) is also provided.

* CALIFORNIA SB1173 ([link removed]) : Existing law requires public employers to provide unions with contact information for all employees within the bargaining unit. Existing law also requires that public employers provide unions with contact information for new employees within 30 days of hire. This bill would impose liability on employers who violate these provisions 3 or more times in a 12-month period.

* Democratic sponsorship.
* Senate Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement Committee hearing scheduled May 14.

* LOUISIANA HB572 ([link removed]) : This bill would allow teachers and other school employees to cease withholding union dues from their wages at any time upon submitting a written or email request.

* Republican sponsorship.
* House Labor Committee hearing scheduled May 14.

* MASSACHUSETTS S2700 ([link removed]) : This bill would make it unlawful to file a civil action against any union for advising its members of their right to refuse to work "because of an abnormally dangerous condition at the place of employment."

* Democratic sponsorship.
* Referred to Joint Judiciary Committee May 7.


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