The summary does not address every provision of the new law, the complete text of which will be distributed as soon as it is available in a suitable form. The legislation establishes three bargaining units at each USM institution. Eligible employees in each of the bargaining units have the right to determine through a secret ballot election whether or not they wish to be represented for collective bargaining purposes. In general, nonexempt employees are employees who are eligible for overtime pay. The president of each USM institution will assign job classification titles and positions to the appropriate bargaining units.
Elections are by secret ballot.
The outcome of an election is determined by a majority of votes cast in the election. If no choice receives a majority of the votes cast, a runoff election is held between the two choices that received the highest number of votes. Elections cannot be held more often than every two years. Collective bargaining may not include negotiations relating to the right of an employee organization to receive service fees from nonmembers. Employees cannot be required to join an employee organization, and nonmembers cannot be required to pay dues or service fees to the organization.