Public Employees Relations Commisson
CS/HB 1387 revises Florida’s public-sector labor relations laws, primarily in Chapter 447, governing the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC). The bill updates procedures for hearings, final orders, service of process, and appeals, and it changes how employee organizations register, renew registration, and seek certification or recertification as bargaining agents. It also revises definitions related to public employees, bargaining agents, employee organizations, public safety employees, and related labor terms.
A major feature of the bill is a new framework for union registration and continued certification. Employee organizations would have to provide more detailed financial and membership information, give renewal applications to affected employers and employees, pay a registration fee, and petition for recertification if they do not meet specified membership thresholds. The bill also requires unions to honor membership revocations within 30 days, restricts dues deductions in most public-sector bargaining units, and creates special exceptions for bargaining units made up primarily of public safety employees. It further increases penalties for strike-related violations and expands restrictions on public employer support for union election campaigns and employee organization activities.
The bill’s impact on state law is broad because it amends multiple statutes beyond Chapter 447, including laws affecting wage deductions, career service exemptions, whistleblower disclosures, retirement records, veterans’ preference proceedings, and school funding rules. It also repeals section 447.308 and makes conforming changes throughout the Florida Statutes. In practical terms, the bill would strengthen state oversight of public employee organizations, make union certification and renewal more data-intensive, and limit payroll deduction and employer-facilitated support for union activity in many bargaining units.
The general sentiment reflected in the available voting history suggests the bill has support among a majority of the House Government Operations Subcommittee, but not unanimous support; it passed that committee 10-7. With no committee transcript available, the recorded vote is the main indicator of sentiment. The split vote suggests the measure is politically significant and likely controversial, especially given its effect on public employee unions and collective bargaining procedures.
The main points of contention are likely the bill’s restrictions on union dues deduction, the new recertification requirements, the expanded reporting and inspection obligations for employee organizations, and the increased penalties for strike activity. Supporters are likely to view the bill as increasing transparency, accountability, and employee choice, while opponents are likely to see it as making union operation and collective bargaining more difficult. The special treatment for public safety employee bargaining units also indicates that the bill draws distinctions among categories of public employees, which may be another source of debate.
The bill substantially amends Florida’s public-sector labor relations framework, especially Chapter 447, by changing PERC procedures, union registration and renewal requirements, certification and recertification rules, dues deduction rules, unfair labor practice procedures, strike penalties, and collective bargaining provisions. It also makes conforming changes to related statutes governing state employment, whistleblower protections, retirement records, veterans’ preference, and school operations. Public employee organizations, public employers, and public employees would all be affected, with the greatest operational impact falling on unions representing non-public-safety bargaining units.
The available vote history shows the bill advanced on a 10-7 vote in the House Government Operations Subcommittee, indicating support from a majority but meaningful opposition. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed debate, but the narrow margin suggests the bill is contentious. Overall, the measure appears to be viewed favorably by supporters of tighter labor-regulation rules and skeptically by those concerned about union rights and collective bargaining.
The most notable disputes are likely over the bill’s restrictions on payroll dues deduction, mandatory recertification triggers tied to membership levels, expanded disclosure and inspection requirements for employee organizations, and higher penalties for strikes and strike-related conduct. Opponents would likely argue these provisions burden union operations and weaken collective bargaining, while supporters would likely argue they improve transparency, accountability, and employee freedom of association. The bill’s carve-outs for public safety employee units and its limits on public employer support for union election activity are also likely to be contested.