75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 1356
 
                         Minority Report
 
                           B-Engrossed
 
                         Senate Bill 519
                  Ordered by the Senate June 4
   Including Senate Amendments dated May 5 and Senate Minority
                             Report
                     Amendments dated June 4
 
Sponsored by nonconcurring members of the Senate Committee on
  Rules: Senators FERRIOLI, ATKINSON
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
    { - Prohibits employer from taking adverse employment action
against employee who declines to attend meeting or participate in
communication concerning employer's opinion about religious or
political matters. Requires employer to post notice. Provides
exceptions for religious organizations, political organizations
and certain meetings and communications. Creates cause of
action. - }
   { +  Declares public policy relating to employer and employee
communications.
  Refers Act to people for their approval or rejection at next
regular general election. + }
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to mandatory workplace communications to employee about
  employer's opinions; and providing that this Act shall be
  referred to the people for their approval or rejection.
  Whereas employers drive the Oregon economy; and
  Whereas communications made by employers to employees are
essential to operations; and
  Whereas federal law already prohibits employers from making
threats or promises of benefits to employees during a
unionization campaign; and
  Whereas public policy has a direct effect on both employers and
employees; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + As used in this section and section 2 of this
2009 Act:
  (1) 'Constituent group' includes, but is not limited to, civic
associations, community groups, social clubs and mutual benefit
alliances, including labor organizations.
  (2) 'Employee' means an individual engaged in service to an
employer in a business of the employer.
  (3) 'Employer' includes:
  (a) A person engaged in business that has employees; and
  (b) A public body, as defined in ORS 174.109.
  (4) 'Labor organization' means an organization that exists for
the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining, of
dealing with employers concerning grievances, terms or conditions
of employment or of other mutual aid or protection in connection
with employment.
  (5) 'Political matters' includes political party affiliation,
campaigns for legislation or candidates for political office and
the decision to join, not join, support or not support any lawful
political or constituent group or activity.
  (6) 'Religious matters' includes religious affiliation or the
decision to join, not join, support or not support a bona fide
religious organization. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + It is declared that it is the public policy of
the State of Oregon that:
  (1) The state shall not interfere in communications between
employers and employees;
  (2) The state shall not restrict the free speech communications
of an employer;
  (3) The state shall not restrict the right of an employer to
communicate to employees about how political matters or the
activities of labor organizations could affect the activities or
functions of the employer or the employee; and
  (4) The state shall not restrict or limit any communication of
religious matters by an employer with a religious focus. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + This 2009 Act shall be submitted to the people
for their approval or rejection at the next regular general
election held throughout this state. + }
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