HB1024
To Amend The Law Concerning Public Employees; And To Repeal The Law Prohibiting Collective Bargaining.
Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1024 seeks to amend Arkansas law to permit collective bargaining for public employees. The bill accomplishes this primarily by repealing Subchapter 8 of Title 21, Chapter 1 of the Arkansas Code, which currently prohibits public employers from recognizing labor unions or entering into collective bargaining agreements with public employees. The existing law also defines and prohibits strikes by public employees and mandates termination for those who engage in such activities. By repealing this subchapter, the bill removes these specific state-level prohibitions. Additionally, the bill amends Arkansas Code § 11-4-205 to align it with the removal of the collective bargaining ban. The legislation essentially shifts the state's legal framework from a prohibition of public sector collective bargaining to a position where such activities are no longer explicitly banned by statute.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are public employees and labor unions, as the repeal would grant public sector workers the legal right to organize, form bargaining units, and negotiate collectively for wages, benefits, and working conditions. Labor organizations representing these workers would also benefit from increased authority and the ability to formalize collective bargaining agreements with state, local, and school district entities.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary entities negatively impacted would be public employers, including state agencies, local governments, school districts, and public institutions of higher education. These employers could face increased operational costs, potential labor disputes or strikes, and reduced flexibility in managing personnel and budgets due to the requirement to engage in collective bargaining processes.
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