SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Graciela Guzmán’s initiative to protect employees from employers backing out of good faith negotiations was signed into law on Friday.

“The right to collectively bargain has been established in Illinois for decades,” said Guzmán (D-Chicago). “This measure simply expands this protection to ensure employers who withdraw from good faith negotiations face consequences for these unjust actions.”

The Public Labor Relations Act, which went into effect in 1984, established many protections for Illinois workers, including the right for employees to approach their employer to negotiate their contracts, health and safety policies, hours, and more. According to the law, employers must meet with them in good faith before working on an agreement.

Senate Bill 453 expands on these rights by establishing consequences for employers who refuse to meet with their employees in good faith to bargain. The law requires the Public Labor Relations Board to investigate if an employer truly refused to bargain in good faith, and if so, offer interest arbitration and allow parties to enter into impasse arbitration procedures normally reserved for security or public safety employees. These measures will further protect working Illinoisans attempting to unionize and fearing retaliation from their leadership.

“It’s the right of all public service workers to come together in a union to improve their wages, benefits and working conditions. With the signing of this bill, these workers have much greater assurance that this right will be protected,” said Roberta Lynch, the Executive Director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31. “We appreciate Senator Guzmán’s leadership on this critical issue.”

Senate Bill 453 was signed into law on Friday. It is effective immediately.