The state is facing a projected $800 million budget deficit
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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.



** RHODE ISLAND ASKS STATE EMPLOYEES FOR FURLOUGH VOLUNTEERS
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The Rhode Island Department of Administration asked last week for state executive branch employees to volunteer to participate in the state’s Department of Labor and Training WorkShare program ([link removed]) in order to address a projected $800 million budget deficit. According to ([link removed]) WPRI, program participants “would work 60% of their regular weekly hours and be eligible for unemployment benefits through the federal CARES act for the remaining hours, and also receive the $600 dollar a week WorkShare payment through the end of July.” The plan runs through Sept. 5.

According to ([link removed]) the _Taunton Gazette_, the Department of Administration reached agreement with the “major unions representing eligible, executive branch employees” on June 3 for members to participate in the program. (To view a list of labor unions representing state employees, click here ([link removed]) .)

Department of Administration Director Brett Smiley said ([link removed]) , “While we await more news from Washington and Congress, this was a prudent strategy to accrue millions [in] savings over the summer in a manner that would enable a majority of our workforce to be held harmless economically.” According to the _Taunton Gazette_, Smiley estimates the state would save $4.7 million if 1,000 employees participate.

Gov. Gina Raimondo ([link removed]) (D) said ([link removed]) , “It’s a voluntary program but I am asking, encouraging, as many employees to participate as possible because that will enable us to maximize our savings.”

The _Providence Journal_ reported ([link removed]) on June 11 that according to a Department of Administration spokeswoman, “So far over 1,000 state employees have volunteered to participate in the State’s WorkShare Program, representing 27 agencies, including Executive Branch agencies, URI, the Legislature, Office of Attorney General and Office of Secretary of State.”

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** WHAT WE'VE BEEN READING
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* The Sacramento Bee, “Top California lawmakers urge state unions to make deals with Gov. Newsom on pay cuts,” June 11, 2020 ([link removed])
* Reno Gazette-Journal, “Sisolak proposes furloughs, salary freeze for Nevada workers,” June 11, 2020 ([link removed])
* MLive, “Proposal would require Michigan state workers to opt-in annually to pay union dues,” June 9, 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 96 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.

* 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 THREE OR MORE TIMES IN A 12-MONTH PERIOD.

* Democratic sponsorship.
* Referred to Appropriations Committee June 8.

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