In the first few weeks of the 2016 legislative session, top agenda items involving labor were sent back-and-forth between the chambers.
Senate Bill 1 – Establishing WV Workplace Freedom Act – would prohibit any requirement a person become or remain a member of a labor organization as a condition of employment. The bill would also prohibit any requirement a person must pay dues or other fees to a labor organization and prohibit any requirement that a person contribute to a charity in lieu of paying dues or other fees to a labor organization.
The West Virginia Senate, after a lengthy and passionate debate, passed SB 1 out of the full Senate on Jan. 21.
On Jan. 28, the House of Delegates held a public hearing on the measure. During the hearing, the House Judiciary Committee heard mixed opinions on the measure in a packed House Chamber.
“The passage of this bill provides West Virginia workers with an enhanced degree of freedom and security. No longer could workers be fired simply for refusing to join or pay dues to a union”, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch Carmichael. “In addition, companies and job producers that will only locate in states that provide workers with the workplace freedom associated with this legislation will now be able to consider locating in our state to provide jobs and opportunities for our citizens.”
The House of Delegates also passed House Bill 4005 – repealing the requirement of paying prevailing hourly rate of wages for construction of public improvements. The bill would repeal the article requiring public authorities engaged in the construction of public improvements to pay a prevailing hourly rate of wages.
A similar bill was introduced last year, discussed and debated but in the end, the Legislature decided to study the issue and recalculate the rate for the prevailing wage.
Before a vote on the House floor, Delegate Isaac Sponaugle, D-Pendleton, asked for an economic impact statement. House Speaker Tim Armstead, R-Kanawha, said for the statement to be considered the House had to vote to suspend the rules. The vote would have required a two-thirds majority. Sponaugle’s request was denied, and the bill passed the House 55-44 on Jan. 27th. The bill has now been sent to the Senate for further consideration.
“We must treat the taxpayers fairly – this bill does that,” said House Majority Leader Cowles. “It will also put West Virginia workers to work by creating more jobs and more projects.”
Discussion on these issues will continue in the respective chambers in the coming weeks. Follow this and any issue before the Legislature on the website, www.wvlegislature.gov