(AUSTIN, TX) April 9, 2015 — The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)/ Texas joined other business groups including the Texas Association of Business, Texas Association of Manufacturers, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas, International Franchise Association, and former union officials today that called on the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee to pass SB 1968, a bill to prohibit government agencies and municipalities from withholding dues for labor unions from government employees’ paychecks, which can ultimately be used to organize against local businesses.
SB 1968 was introduced by Senator Chairwoman Joan Huffman (R-17), who chairs the State Affairs Committee. Her bill would end the union practice of relying on government agencies and municipalities to deduct union dues from the paychecks of public sector employees the unions represent. The bill exempts law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services.
The former Executive Director of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Texas, the nation’s largest public sector union, Brian Olsen, presented testimony supporting SB 1968 passage. He led the union in Texas for 16 years, and in testimony today said government should have no business serving as an agent for unions.
“Government should not tilt the playing field for one side or the other,” said Annie Spilman, NFIB/Texas Legislative Director. “By collecting dues for a union or any other group, the government makes a de facto endorsement of their policy positions and that is a direct conflict of interest.”
The main policy of this legislation is to remove government as an agent for unions or any association that lobbies for or against public policy issues, which will render government politically neutral and remove any conflicts of interests. The bill would also prevent union representatives in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections of non-union worksites without employer consent. For additional information on SB 1968 please click here.
