AZ SB1459

Establishes the Public Employee Bargaining Act in Arizona, granting state and local government employees the right to form, join, and participate in labor organizations for collective bargaining on wages, hours, and employment conditions.

Creates a three-member Public Employee Labor Relations Board appointed by the governor to oversee bargaining unit designations, certify exclusive representatives, conduct representation elections, and adjudicate prohibited practice complaints.

Requires labor organizations to obtain signatures from at least 30% of employees in a bargaining unit to trigger a secret ballot representation election, with certification requiring a majority vote.

Establishes impasse resolution procedures including mediation through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and binding arbitration panels when negotiations fail, with specific timelines for state employee negotiations beginning July 1.

Prohibits strikes and lockouts by public employees and employers, while allowing political subdivisions to establish local labor relations boards subject to state board approval.