Brewer signs bill targeting union paycheck deductions

Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill meant to prevent labor unions from using members’ dues for political activities.

The bill, SB 1365 prohibits any employer – whether a private business or a governmental entity – from taking money from employees’ paychecks to use for political purposes, unless authorized by the employee. Employees must provide annual authorization for such deductions under the bill.

The law is aimed at preventing unions from funding political activities through dues and automatic deductions from employee paychecks. The Arizona Education Association, Arizona AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union and other labor unions opposed the bill, which was strongly supported by conservatives and business interests, such as the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Americans for Prosperity and Intel.

The new law, which will go into effect July 20, excludes law enforcement officers, firefighters, corrections officers and other public safety personnel employed by government agencies.