Labor & Employment (Collective Bargaining)

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HJR 1085: Oklahoma constitution; right to work; repeal; ballot title; filing.

HJR 1085 is a procedural resolution directing Oklahoma voters to decide on repealing Section 1A of Article XXIII (the state's "right to work" constitutional provision) through a ballot referendum. It requires the Secretary of State to place the repeal proposal on the ballot with a specific title explaining it would remove the "right to work" constitutional language. The resolution sets the ballot language to ask voters: "SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED?" with "YES" and "NO" options. This bill does not change Oklahoma law but initiates a voter approval process for a constitutional amendment. The resolution was introduced by Representative Deck and referred to the Rules Committee on February 3, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRepealing Oklahoma's 'right to work' provision would strengthen collective bargaining by removing barriers to union dues, directly advancing workers' rights under labor policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1884: School employees; modifying the access statewide professional educators' associations have to school employees; allowing termination of certain membership at any time. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1884 ensures school districts grant statewide professional educators' associations (like teacher unions) equal access to school employees for activities such as distributing materials, speaking at meetings, and using school facilities. It prohibits schools from conditioning this access on fees, meals, or donations and requires districts to notify the State Board of Education if access is denied within 15 days. The bill also allows school employees to terminate membership in these associations at any time without restrictions or requiring a reason, and invalidates any existing agreements that limit this right. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, applying directly to school employees and educators' associations in Oklahoma.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures equal access for teacher unions to school employees, prohibits fees/donations for union activities, strengthening educator association operations and support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures equal access for educator unions to organize, prohibits fees/conditions on union activities, directly strengthening collective bargaining rights for school employees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Collective Bargaining

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 1937: Labor organizations; prohibiting certain employers from receiving economic development incentives. Effective date.

SB 1937 prohibits employers who engage in specific labor practices from receiving Oklahoma's economic development incentives (such as grants, loans, or tax credits). It directly affects employers seeking these incentives by banning: (1) granting union recognition based solely on signed cards instead of secret ballot elections, (2) sharing employee contact information without consent, (3) signing neutrality agreements with unions, and (4) requiring subcontractors to violate these rules. Employers found violating these provisions must repay all incentives received for the project. The bill exempts existing agreements before its November 1, 2026, effective date and employers with current collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits tax credits and economic incentives for employers engaging in specific labor practices, restricting fiscal incentives available to businesses.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prohibits employers from using anti-union tactics (e.g., card checks without secret ballot) to access incentives, protecting workers' right to secret ballot elections in union recognition and strengthening collective bargaining rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 4481: Labor; public employees; collective bargaining; effective date.

HB 4481 establishes a statutory right for all Oklahoma public employees (including state, county, and municipal workers) to form unions, negotiate collectively over wages and working conditions, and engage in protected concerted activities. The bill explicitly guarantees employees the right to join or assist labor organizations without employer interference, while also affirming their right to decline participation in such activities. Key provisions require employers to recognize and bargain with elected employee representatives on terms of employment, mirroring federal labor protections. The law takes effect on November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGuarantees public employees' collective bargaining rights, protected concerted activities, and prohibits employer interference in union organizing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 4253: School employees; professional educators' association access; equal access.

HB 4253, the "Taxpayer Dollars Protect Workers Act," requires businesses receiving Oklahoma's economic development incentives (such as tax credits, grants, or job creation programs) to comply with specific labor practices. It prohibits employers from bypassing secret ballot elections for union representation, sharing employee contact information with unions without written consent, or signing neutrality agreements that prevent them from discussing union issues with workers. The law applies to all projects funded by state incentives and forbids employers from requiring subcontractors to violate these rules. Violations may result in the state recovering funds, with reports investigated by the Attorney General.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer tactics undermining union organizing (secret ballot bypass, neutrality agreements), directly strengthening collective bargaining rights as defined in Labor & Employment indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 1627: Cities and towns; unfair labor practices; Public Employees Relations Board; procedures; arbitration; fees and expenses; effective date.

HB 1627 modifies Oklahoma's process for resolving unfair labor practice disputes involving public employees in cities and towns. It requires written notice of alleged violations within six months and establishes a specific arbitration procedure: each party (employer and union) selects one arbitrator, who then jointly select a third; if they fail, the Federal Mediation Service provides a list for alternating strikes. The bill also changes fee rules, requiring the bargaining agent to cover their selected arbitrator's fees and the employer to cover theirs, while splitting the third arbitrator's fees equally. This applies to interest arbitration, unfair practice disputes, and union representation decisions, effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes clear arbitration procedure for resolving unfair labor practice disputes involving public employees, facilitating timely grievance resolution and protecting worker rights. Fee rule requiring bargaining agent to cover own costs is ...90% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2252: Schools; Big Yellow School Bus Act; increase in compensation for certain school support employees; effective date; emergency.

HB 2252 requires Oklahoma school districts to provide a 20% wage increase to school support employees earning less than $80,000 annually for the 2025-2026 school year, if they continue working for the same district. The increase is calculated based on the employee’s 2024-2025 salary and adjusted proportionally for hours worked. This change takes effect on July 1, 2025, and applies in addition to any existing compensation, benefits, or collective bargaining agreements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 20% wage increase for school support staff under $80k, directly advancing education workforce compensation and funding for K-12 support roles.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 20% wage increase for school support staff under $80k, directly advancing compensation standards per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Transportation Collective Bargaining Minimum Wage

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1424: Cities and towns; unfair labor practice; Public Employees Relations Board; arbitrator selection; fees and expenses; effective date.

HB 1424 establishes a new process for resolving unfair labor practice claims between cities/towns (local government employers) and public employee unions. It requires written notification of alleged unfair labor practices within six months, followed by a specific three-step arbitrator selection process: each party selects one arbitrator within 10 days, they jointly select a third (or use the Federal Mediation Service if needed), and the third serves as chair. The bill specifies that the first two arbitrators' fees are paid by their respective sides, while the third arbitrator's reasonable fees are shared equally. This process applies to interest arbitration, unfair labor practice disputes, and union certification matters.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates structured arbitration process for public sector labor disputes, strengthening union rights to address unfair practices through defined resolution procedures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Professional Licensing Public Employees

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died · Oklahoma · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 2168: State government; prohibited terms in bid specifications for public improvement projects; effective date.

HB 2168 would have prohibited Oklahoma public agencies from including terms in construction contracts for public projects (like roads or buildings) that require or discourage union agreements, or discriminate based on a contractor’s union status. It specifically banned language in bid specifications that forced contractors to join unions or treated union-affiliated bidders differently. The bill applied to all public improvement projects funded by the state, affecting both agencies issuing contracts and the contractors bidding on them. However, the bill failed in committee on April 8, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits requiring/dismissing union agreements in public contracts, protecting collective bargaining rights and preventing discrimination based on union status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 506: School employee payroll deductions; requiring certain authorization for certain dues and political contributions. Emergency.

SB 506 requires Oklahoma school districts to obtain annual written authorization from employees for payroll deductions of professional organization dues or political contributions. It mandates that authorizations include a specific disclosure about voluntary membership (including First Amendment rights) and expire at the start of each new school year unless renewed. School districts must stop deductions within five business days of an employee's written request (including email or fax) and cannot charge employees for future dues after termination. The bill also prohibits districts from adding extra requirements for starting or stopping deductions and requires double reimbursement for delayed terminations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires annual employee authorization for payroll deductions, protecting voluntary membership rights and First Amendment protections related to dues/political contributions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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