Bill > SB1459

This bill establishes the Public Employee Bargaining Act in Arizona, creating a framework for public employees to engage in collective bargaining. It defines key terms such as "appropriate bargaining unit" (a group of public employees for negotiation), "collective bargaining" (negotiating wages, hours, and terms of employment), and "exclusive representative" (a labor organization certified to negotiate on behalf of employees). The bill grants public employees the right to form, join, or refrain from joining labor organizations and to meet and confer with their employers regarding employment conditions. It also outlines public employer rights, such as determining agency missions and directing employees. A Public Employee Labor Relations Board (PELRB) is established to administer these provisions, with the power to adopt rules, designate bargaining units, certify representatives, and hear complaints. Local boards can also be established by political subdivisions with PELRB approval. The bill details election procedures for choosing exclusive representatives, grievance procedures, and impasse resolution methods involving mediation and arbitration. It prohibits certain actions by both public employers and employees, such as interfering with rights or refusing to bargain in good faith, and explicitly prohibits strikes and lockouts by public employees and employers, respectively. The PELRB is scheduled to terminate on July 1, 2034, with the new chapter and this termination provision being repealed on January 1, 2035. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to include the PELRB among agencies whose actions are subject to specific procedural rules.

Government Affairs

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/85046