Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to join or pay unions, and increases the minimum wage.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an employer from requiring an individual to perform any of the following actions as a condition of hiring, promotion, or continued employment (Secs. 4, 5 & 14):
• To join or remain in a labor organization;
• To pay dues or other charges to a labor organization, or to a charity or third party in lieu of payment to a labor organization; or
• To be recommended or approved by a labor organization.

• Prohibits an employer and a labor organization from entering into an agreement, understanding, or practice that violates the provisions of this bill (Sec. 6).

• Requires the attorney general and district attorneys to investigate and take legal action for a violation of the provisions of this bill (Secs. 7 & 8).

• Classifies a violation of the provisions of this bill as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of no more than $1,000, imprisonment of no more than 90 days, or both (Sec. 9).

• Exempts employers and employees covered by the federal Railway Labor Act, federal employers and employees, and situations that would conflict with federal law (Sec. 11).

• Increases the hourly minimum wage from $7.50 to $8.00, beginning July 1, 2015 (Secs. 19 & 21).

• Authorizes an employer to pay a trainee employee at least $7.50 an hour during the training period but for no longer than 6 months from the date of hire, beginning July 1, 2015 (Secs. 19 & 21).

Full Bill Text