SB111 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Right to work, policy declared, cause of action declared, const. amend.

Summary

SB111 would amend Alabama’s Constitution to protect the right to work regardless of union membership, bar forcing union membership or dues, and allow damages for violations.

What This Bill Does

It states as public policy that the right to work cannot be denied based on union membership status. It bans agreements that deny the right to work or condition employment on union membership, and it prohibits employers from requiring employees to abstain from union membership or to join a union as a condition of employment. It also blocks employers from demanding dues or other charges to a union as a condition of employment and creates a damages remedy for individuals denied employment. The change would apply only to contracts entered after ratification (and renewals), not to contracts that were already in force before ratification.

Who It Affects

• Employees and job applicants who would be protected from employment discrimination based on union membership status and who could seek damages if denied employment.
• Employers and labor unions, who would be barred from forcing union membership or dues as a condition of employment and could face legal action for violations.

Key Provisions

• Declares as public policy that the right to work may not be denied or abridged because of union membership status.
• Prohibits agreements between employers and unions that deny the right to work or make membership a condition of employment.
• Prohibits requiring an employee to abstain from union membership as a condition of employment.
• Prohibits requiring a person to pay dues, fees, or other charges to a union as a condition of employment.
• Provides a damages remedy for individuals denied employment in violation of the amendment.
• Not retroactive to contracts in force before ratification; applies to contracts entered after ratification and to renewals/extensions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments