The bill H.F. No. 1400, introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives, seeks to amend Minnesota Statutes 2024, Section 179A.06, Subdivision 2, regarding the rights and limitations of supervisory and confidential employee organizations in public sector unions.

Key Changes in the Bill:

1. Rights of Public Employees: Public employees maintain the right to form, join, or refrain from joining labor organizations. They also have the right to choose an exclusive representative through a secret ballot to negotiate employment terms and grievance procedures.

2. Exclusions from Bargaining:

   • Confidential employees of the state, courts, and the University of Minnesota remain excluded from collective bargaining.
   • Supervisory and managerial court employees, as well as supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees of Hennepin Healthcare System, Inc., remain barred from participating in collective bargaining.

3. Exclusive Representation for Supervisory and Confidential Employees:

   • These employees may form their own organizations.
   • Their employer must recognize their representative for negotiating employment terms, applicable to essential employees.

4. Prohibition on Negotiations Across Employee Groups:

   • Supervisory and confidential employee organizations cannot participate in negotiations involving non-supervisory or non-confidential employees.
   • Exceptions are allowed for organizations representing emergency personnel, including:
     • Firefighters
     • Emergency medical service employees
     • 911 dispatchers
     • Peace officers
     • Correctional facility guards
     • Hospital employees (excluding state hospitals)
   • If a supervisory or confidential employee organization is affiliated with a union representing non-supervisory or non-confidential employees of the same employer, it cannot be certified or serve as an exclusive representative—except in the exempted emergency service roles.

5. Definition of "Affiliation":

   • Includes both direct and indirect relationships, such as through federations or joint employee organizations.

Summary of the Impact:

• Strengthens restrictions on supervisory and confidential employees affiliating with unions that represent general public employees.
• Clarifies the negotiation rights of these employee groups.
• Provides exceptions for emergency services personnel.

The bill is currently referred to the Committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy for further consideration.