Montana panel hears hours of testimony on bill to ban union security agreements

Helena — The Montana Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee spent much of the day hearing pro and con testimony on Senate Bill 376, a Right-to-Work measure introduced by Sen. Mark Noland that would prohibit employers and unions from requiring employees to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment.

Supporters told the committee the bill would protect individual choice, encourage private-sector growth and raise household income, while opponents—including a broad coalition of construction, electrical, health-care and municipal unions—argued the measure would undercut collective bargaining, weaken apprenticeship training and lower wages.

Sen. Mark Noland (R), the bill sponsor, framed SB 376 as a freedom measure that would prevent an employer or union from penalizing a worker for refusing to pay union dues. “A right to work law simply ensures that no worker is compelled to pay,” Noland said during his opening remarks. He cited comparative statistics he and proponents attributed to outside researchers showing higher disposable income and faster private‑sector employment growth in…