Mississippi Passes Worker Freedom Legislation Banning Neutrality Agreements and Protecting Private Ballot
JACKSON, MS — Workers for Opportunity, a national organization focused on advancing workplace freedom for employees across the country, applauds the Mississippi legislature for passing landmark worker freedom legislation. Mississippi becomes the first state in the nation to ban so-called neutrality agreements in the workplace.
The legislation ensures that any company that takes state taxpayer funded economic incentives cannot enter into a neutrality agreement – which is really anything but neutral, nor can it recognize a union via card check.
“Employees should be able to communicate with everyone involved in their workplace—including their employer and fellow employees—not just union organizers,” said Mississippi State Sen. and bill sponsor, Josh Harkins. “This legislation protects the First Amendment rights of everyone involved in the unionization process and guarantees workers the right to a private ballot. Every employee deserves the freedom to make that decision privately, without intimidation or pressure—just like Mississippians do when they vote.”
“The First Amendment and right to free speech applies to all Americans, including a business’ right to communicate freely and honestly with their employees,” said David Guenthner, Executive Director of Workers for Opportunity. “Thanks to legislative leadership, Mississippi becomes the first state in the country to defend the free flow of communication and ideas in the workplace. Neutrality agreements are anything but neutral and can force employers into gag orders which prevent them from communicating with employees.”
“The right to a private or secret ballot vote also ensures that taxpayers’ dollars are not used to promote card check, which often includes intimidation tactics, coercion and other questionable practices,” Guenthner continued.
Mississippi joins Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama as the fourth state in the country to enact the right to a private ballot.
“Bill sponsors Sen. Josh Harkins and Rep. Lee Yancey, along with Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, all deserve recognition for their leadership in protecting worker freedom,” said Justin Hill, Chairman of the Council of Advisors for Workers for Opportunity. “Gov. Tate Reeves joined with five other southern Republican governors in promoting employee protection from unionization campaigns driven by misinformation and scare tactics and now Mississippi stands ready to join their neighboring states in these pro-worker and pro-economic growth policies becoming law.”
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Workers for Opportunity is a project of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. WFO’s goal is to advance the liberty of employees across the country and protect their First Amendment rights by ensuring they have a full and informed choice in union membership.
