SB 1085: Requires Release Time for Union Representatives
July 12, 2018
SB 1085 was introduced on February 12, 2018, by Senator Skinner. As first introduced, this bill gave employee organizations the right to establish reasonable restrictions regarding joining and being dismissed from union membership. However, on April 10, 2018, this bill was amended to require that public employers grant reasonable leaves of absence, without loss of pay, to employees serving as union stewards or union officers. This initial version provided that whether the union would reimburse the employer was subject to negotiations between the parties. However, on May 29, 2018, the bill was amended to provide that, “The exclusive representative or employee organization shall reimburse the public employer for all compensation paid to the employee on leave unless otherwise provided by a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding.” This bill has passed the Senate and is pending in the Assembly.
Both the California State Association of Counties and the League of Cities are opposed to this bill on the grounds that leave time should be subject to negotiations between the parties.
