Idaho could soon require open union negotiations

Interested Idahoans could soon have access to all negotiations for pay, benefits and other perks for government workers.

The House State Affairs Committee voted without dissent Thursday to approve a bill that would require all union negotiations be open to the general public.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Steve Harris, R-Meridian, told the panel the proposal would bring negotiations in line with Idaho law’s intent for greater transparency.

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“This seems to break with the spirit of our open meeting laws,” Harris said.

The measure trails 2013’s House Bill 1098, which led the effort to provide great transparency into negotiations. That bill was sponsored by the Idaho Education Association and passed both legislative chambers unanimously.

A number of states, including Washington, allow labor negotiations between organized labor behind closed doors. A number of think tanks across the country have opposed the practice as of late, advocating for more openness for the people who fund government.