Arise’s Dev Wakeley provides this week’s legislative update with a look at bills related to workers’ rights, including one that would disincentivize companies from voluntarily recognizing unions. To speak out about these bills and others that we’re tracking in the Alabama Legislature, visit alarise.org and click “Take Action.”

Full video transcript below:

Hi, this is Dev Wakeley, here with this week’s Alabama Arise legislative update. Today we’ll be focusing on workers’ rights bills.

We have several bills up this week that touch on workers’ rights. Work and labor issues have significant interest right now in our state as a result of the recent growing push for better working conditions.

First, let’s talk about Sen. Arthur Orr’s SB 231. This is an anti-worker bill designed to undercut workers’ ability to form a union by prohibiting economic development incentives from going to companies that voluntarily recognize unions. This is an attack on the voluntary recognition process created by the federal National Labor Relations Act. This bill has moved out of its assigned Senate committee on a party-line vote and is likely to be on the Senate floor this week. To help us fight this bill, if you have not already, please take action using the action alert sent out regarding SB 231 this morning or by clicking on that action alert found in the legislative update email accompanying this video.

Next is Sen. Robert Stewart’s SB 19. This is a bill to update the penalties for companies that violate child labor laws. In light of recent child labor violation increases nationally and serious abuses in our state, this bill is especially important this week. Be on the lookout for an action alert asking you to send an email in support of SB 19 to the House Judiciary Committee, which will be deliberating on this bill this Wednesday.

The third bill to watch related to workers’ rights is SB 53, also by Sen. Arthur Orr. It’s on the agenda in the House Commerce and Small Business Committee Wednesday. This bill removes the work permit that ensures 14- and 15-year-old workers are doing well in school before taking on a job. Please also take action asking your legislator to oppose this bill by clicking on the SB 53 action alert found in the email accompanying this video.

Interestingly, workers’ issues have been a significant part of the session, a reflection of the changing statewide atmosphere over the past few years. Alabama Arise is ready to keep you up to date on developments and to let you know ways to engage with your lawmakers to move them toward policies that benefit workers and all Alabamians.

Thank you for being a member, and if you’re not already, make sure you’re following us on Twitter and on Facebook. Thanks for watching.