Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday advanced legislation that would withhold economic incentive dollars from companies that voluntarily recognize a union without holding a secret ballot election.
The Alabama Senate voted 23-5 for Republican Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur’s bill. It now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives.
The measure says that companies would be ineligible for economic development incentives if they voluntarily recognize a union after a majority of employees return union-authorization cards — a process sometimes called “card check-off.”
Under the proposal, a secret ballot election would be required to determine if a union would be formed.
“It does not prevent an organization effort. Absolutely not. All it does is require a private vote,” Orr said.
