California Outlaws Mandatory Anti-Union Meetings At Work

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a bill into law Friday barring employers from holding mandatory anti-union meetings in the workplace.

The legislation makes California the latest and largest state to outlaw what are known as “captive audience” meetings. At least eight other states, all Democratic-leaning, have passed similar bans with the support of labor unions.

Newsom said in a statement that the legislation guarantees “the right to work without fear of retaliation.”

“California has a rich history of standing up for workers’ rights, and this bill continues that tradition ― making sure employees have the freedom to make their own decisions without coercion,” he said.

Employers hold captive-audience meetings when trying to persuade workers not to unionize, often in the weeks ahead of a union election. Many companies hire outside consultants and pay them more than $3,000 per day to lead the meetings and combat the organizing effort.

Although workers are typically told they can vote however they want, the information is almost always slanted heavily against the union.

Like legislation in other states, the California bill still allows employers to hold anti-union meetings, but they can’t force workers to show up under threat of punishment ― attendance must be voluntary. The same goes for any meeting where the employer communicates their opinions on “religious or political matters.”

When companies violate the statute, the law enables workers to pursue damages in court.

Several other states are considering similar legislation. The Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank, estimates that 60 million workers could soon be protected by such bans.

But the laws face legal challenges from employer groups, with