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Bill would create escalating fines for public employers that delay union dues and employee lists
Summary
Sen. Chris Gorsek on Feb. 20 introduced Senate Bill 754, which would create escalating civil penalties for public employers that repeatedly miss statutory deadlines to provide employee information or remit union dues under PECPA.
Senate Bill 754, introduced by Sen. Chris Gorsek, would add an escalating civil-penalty scheme for public employers that fail to meet statutory deadlines for providing employee information and remitting union dues under the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECPA). The committee held a public hearing on the bill Feb. 20.
Gorsek told the committee that most public employers comply, but some “chronically” delay sending dues or required employee information, undermining unions’ ability to represent members. The bill would clarify deadlines — for example, requiring employers to provide new-hire information within 10 days and update employee lists every 120 days — and impose increasing fines for repeated violations. A dash-1 amendment discussed would direct fines into a fund to assist workers and keep enforcement with the Employment Relations Board (ERB), removing a private right of action.
Susan Allen of AFSCME, Katie (Tyson) with the Oregon AFL-CIO, Victor Reyes of AAUP-Oregon, and Mike Powers of SEIU Local 503 testified in support, saying the measure provides a faster, less costly enforcement mechanism than repeated ERB litigation. Allen said the fines would be calibrated for small employers and work with the League of Oregon Cities on fit; she said penalties would be directed to a Wage Security Fund managed by the Bureau of Labor and Industry under the amendment. Witnesses said the bill includes a written-warning step for first violations so penalties target patterns of noncompliance. No vote was taken at the hearing.
