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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the right of public employees to collectively bargain |
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with governmental entities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 617.002, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 617.002. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING BY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES |
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[PROHIBITED]. (a) An official of the state or of a political |
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subdivision of the state may [not] enter into a collective |
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bargaining contract with a labor organization regarding wages, |
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hours, or conditions of employment of public employees. |
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(b) [A contract entered into in violation of Subsection (a) |
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is void. |
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[(c)] An official of the state or of a political subdivision |
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of the state may [not] recognize a labor organization as the |
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bargaining agent for a group of public employees. |
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SECTION 2. Section 617.003, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 617.003. [PROHIBITION ON] STRIKES BY PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. |
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(a) Public employees may [not] strike or engage in an organized |
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work stoppage against the state or a political subdivision of the |
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state. |
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(b) [A public employee who violates Subsection (a) forfeits |
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all civil service rights, reemployment rights, and any other |
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rights, benefits, and privileges the employee enjoys as a result of |
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public employment or former public employment. |
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[(c)] The right of an individual to cease work may not be |
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abridged if the individual is [not] acting in concert with others in |
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an organized work stoppage. |
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SECTION 3. Section 617.005, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 617.005. EFFECT OF CHAPTER. This chapter does not |
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impair the right of public employees to present grievances |
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concerning their wages, hours of employment, or conditions of work |
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either individually or through a representative that claims [does |
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not claim] the right to strike. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |