Labor Thanks Gov. Lamont for Signing Captive Audience Bill Into Law

Ed Hawthorne, President of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, made the following statement in response to Gov. Lamont signing Senate Bill 163: An Act Protecting Employee Freedom of Speech and Conscience into law yesterday:

"Yesterday, Gov. Lamont took an important step in protecting working people from employer intimidation and harassment during union organizing campaigns. Far too often, when workers attempt to form a union, management forces workers to attend closed-door captive audience meetings where they frequently threaten business closures, wage cuts, layoffs, and more.

"In just over six weeks, workers will no longer be forced to attend meetings about their employer’s position on politics, religion, or union organizing. Starting on July 1, a worker will be able to leave these meetings and return to work without fear of discipline or termination.

"The labor movement is incredibly thankful to the Governor for signing this critical legislation into law. As only the second state in the nation to take action in this way, Connecticut is leading the way in protecting the rights of working people. We are also extremely grateful to Attorney General William Tong, Senate President Martin Looney, House Speaker Matt Ritter, Sen. Gary Winfield, and Rep. Steve Stafstrom for their leadership and years of commitment to make sure this bill passed into law."

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Hear from workers and organizers in their own words about captive audience meetings and why this legislation is important to protect working people: www.ctaflcio.org/captive-audience