Workers and unions in California are pushing for the passage of SB 399, also known as the California Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidation Act. This bill would prohibit employers from requiring employees to attend meetings for the purpose of communicating the employer’s opinion about religious, unionization, and political matters. This is an important step in protecting workers’ rights to not be forced to listen to or engage with messages that they find objectionable or offensive.
Under the proposed law, employers would not be able to require employees to attend speeches or view any communication that conveys the employer’s opinion about religious or political matters. This would be especially beneficial during unionization campaigns, where employers may use mandatory meetings to push their anti-union views on employees.
Additionally, the bill includes an anti-retaliation component that prohibits employers from taking adverse action against an employee who exercises their rights under the law. This ensures that workers are protected from any retaliation that may occur as a result of refusing to attend meetings or engaging with unwanted messages.
The California Worker Freedom from Employer Intimidation Act is a necessary step in protecting workers’ rights and ensuring that they are not subjected to unwanted religious or political messages. Unions in California are urging lawmakers to support this bill and pass it into law to create a more fair and equitable workplace for all employees.
A captive audience meeting is a mandatory meeting where workers are interrogated and subjected to threats, lies, and anti-union propaganda. Currently, only Oregon and Connecticut have bans on coercive captive audience meetings.
