Employer resistance stops many workers from forming or joining a union. Despite workers' and unions' best efforts to overcome campaigns of harassment and intimidation, employers poison the atmosphere and prevent employees from making a free choice. Many employers spare no expense to prepare legal, psychological and communications campaigns to interfere with workers' choice. Currently, recipients of state funds, including those who receive reimbursements and grants, or perform service contracts, can use state funds to assist, promote or deter union organizing. Use of state funds in this manner is a misuse of taxpayer funds.
Federal statutes prohibit federal funds from being used to influence employees about unionization.
California should prevent the misuse of its taxpayer funds. The state contractor that incurs costs to assist, promote or deter unionization shall maintain records sufficient to show that no reimbursement from state funds has been sought for those costs. A state contractor shall be liable to the state for the amount of the funds obtained in violation of this section and civil penalties equal to twice the amount of such funds. Prior to the disbursement of a grant of state funds, the recipient shall provide a certification that state funds will not be used to assist, promote or deter union organizing. Recipients of grants who make an expenditure for this purpose shall maintain records sufficient to show that no state funds have been used for those expenditures.