Existing law prohibits the state and specified local public employers from deterring or discouraging public employees and applicants to be public employees from becoming or remaining members of an employee organization, authorizing representation by an employee organization, or authorizing dues or fee deductions to an employee organization. Existing law grants the Public Employment Relations Board jurisdiction over violations of these provisions, except as specified.

This bill would prohibit a public employer from deterring or discouraging a public employee or an applicant to be a public employee from opting out of becoming or remaining a member of an employee organization. The bill would prohibit a public employer from taking adverse action against a public employee or applicant to be a public employee who opts out of becoming or remaining a member of an employee organization and would specify that adverse action includes reducing a public employee’s current level of pay or benefits.