NJ Bill Would Ban ‘Captive Audience’ Meetings Against Unionizing

NEW JERSEY — Forming a union in a workplace requires serious debate, no matter what side of the fence you’re on. But forcing employees to sit through a one-sided meeting against unionizing gives bosses way too much of an advantage – and it’s a tactic that needs to end, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in New Jersey say.

A proposed state law, A-4429, would ban employers from holding mandatory “captive audience” meetings for their workers. It passed a full vote in the New Jersey Assembly on Monday.

A companion bill, S-3302, is currently sitting before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

If it becomes law, the bill would bar employers from requiring attendance at meetings that have been demonstrated to “intimidate and interfere with workers exercising their rights.” The legislation would expand the legal protection against mandatory meetings, which currently covers religious and political matters, to include topics involving participation in labor organizations.

The bill exempts certain political, nonprofit, government and religious employers.

New Jersey would become the 10th state to ban these types of mandatory meetings, the bill’s sponsors say.

The law has picked up overwhelming support from Democrat and Republican lawmakers alike. It passed an Assembly vote by a tally of 65-8, with four members not voting and three abstaining.

“This bill is about protecting workers' rights,” Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli (NJ-15) said.

“Whether it's how they're going to vote in an election or if they want to join or participate in a union, they must be allowed the freedom to make their own decisions, free from intimidation in the workplace,” urged Verrelli, a Democrat.

Assemblyman Christian Barranco (NJ-25), another sponsor of the bill, agreed with his peer.

“Imagine workers having to legally sit through meetings about their employers’ politics and then also being forced to accept their interpretations on matters or be fired,” the Republican lawmaker said.

“No way will this be happening in New Jersey,” Barranco said. “This legislation makes sure of that.”

While employers would still be allowed to express their political views, they would not be permitted to punish an employee who chooses to skip these types of forced meetings, Barranco noted.

“This is about prohibiting retaliation against workers who have a right to reject the political opinions of their bosses, not about restricting speech,” the lawmaker said.

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