SB41 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Tom Whatley Jerry L. Fielding Del Marsh Dick Brewbaker Greg J. Reed J.T. Waggoner Arthur Orr Bryan Taylor Shadrack McGill Gerald H. Allen Clay Scofield
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Right to work, policy declared, cause of action declared, const. amend.
Summary: SB41 would amend Alabama’s Constitution to guarantee a right-to-work, banning forced union membership or dues as a condition of employment and allowing damages for violations.
What This Bill Does
It declares as public policy that the right to work cannot be denied based on union membership. It bars agreements that deny the right to work or make union membership a condition of employment. It prohibits employers from requiring union membership or dues as a condition of employment or continuation of employment. It creates a damages remedy for individuals denied employment under this amendment; it does not apply to contracts in force before ratification but applies to contracts entered after ratification and to renewals.

Who It Affects
Job applicants and current employees in Alabama are protected from denial of employment or continued employment based on union membership status and from being forced to join a union or pay union dues.
Employers and any parties acting in concert with them are restricted by the new rule and could face damages claims if they violate it.

Key Provisions
Public policy: the right to work may not be denied or abridged due to union membership status.
Prohibition of agreements between employers and unions that deny the right to work or condition employment on union membership, including union monopolies in enterprises.
No requirement that an employee join or remain a union member as a condition of employment or continued employment.
No requirement that an employee abstain from union membership as a condition of employment.
Employers may not require payment of dues, fees, or other charges to any union as a condition of employment.
Anyone denied employment or having employment terminated in violation can seek damages in court; applies to new contracts and renewals after ratification, not to contracts in force before ratification.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Constitutional Amendments