MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — 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 the bill by Republican Sen. Arthur Orr, of Decatur. 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.
The measure comes as auto manufacturers located in the South face a unionization effort as states continue to offer large economic incentives to lure electric vehicle manufacturers and other companies to locate within their borders. Lawmakers in Georgia and Tennessee have approved similar bills.
The Alabama proposal does not affect companies that are already unionized. It also does not impact incentive package agreements executed before Jan. 1, 2025.
A telephone message Tuesday to the Alabama AFL-CIO was not immediately returned.
Chinese FM meets with chairman of MSC Foundation
'Callous' crook who pretended to be an 82
Jontay Porter banned from NBA after gambling probe
Edmunds: Avoid these 3 mistakes when buying a used car sight unseen
Scarred UNESCO World Heritage site Jiuzhaigou recovers after quake
How the US failed to stop a Cambodian monkey ‘smuggling conspiracy’ — Radio Free Asia
USA Basketball finalizing Paris Olympics roster, AP sources say
Was Dubai's apocalyptic storm SELF
China's archaeological site parks register strong revenue growth
USDA and China CCP lab are creating deadly BIRD FLU viruses as part of $1m collaboration
Convicted robber, 45, admits stabbing charity busker, 87, while riding his mobility scooter
How much of England's motorway network has no hard shoulder? This map reveals all...