Bill > HB3283

This bill establishes new procedures for public labor organizations in Missouri, specifically for employees authorized to form and join unions under existing law. It mandates that within thirty days of a union being recognized as the exclusive representative for a group of public employees, the public body and the union must begin good-faith bargaining over wages, benefits, and other employment terms. If an agreement isn't reached within 180 days, the dispute goes to mediation, and if still unresolved after 90 days of mediation, it moves to arbitration. Parties can also mutually agree to skip mediation and go directly to interest arbitration, which is a process where an impartial arbitrator resolves disputes over contract terms. The bill outlines how arbitrators are selected, including through panels from federal services like the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) or the American Arbitration Association (AAA), and specifies how parties present their cases to the arbitrator, whose decision is binding unless it requires new legislation. The bill also defines "good faith" bargaining and allows either party to submit claims of bad-faith bargaining to the state board for determination, which can then be referred to arbitration. Crucially, it prohibits public bodies from making unilateral changes to wages, benefits, or other mandatory bargaining terms once a union is recognized or a contract expires, and allows unions to seek legal remedies for such changes. The bill also includes provisions for successor agreements and grants the state board the authority to create necessary rules, subject to legislative review.