AB 2183 Summary

• Establishes two alternative election procedures to the existing polling place election: labor peace elections (mail ballot) and non-labor peace elections (majority support petition) for agricultural workers to select union representatives

• Requires agricultural employers to annually elect whether to agree to a "labor peace compact," which prohibits anti-union statements, captive audience meetings, union disparagement, and restricts employer communications about unionization from January through December of each year

• Implements a mail ballot election process where labor organizations can be certified with over 50 percent support from currently employed workers, with board-issued voting kits mailed to employees for 30 days

• Creates non-labor peace elections allowing labor organizations to be certified through submission of majority support authorization cards or petitions, bypassing the mail ballot process for employers refusing labor peace compacts

• Establishes civil penalties up to $10,000 per unfair labor practice violation (up to $25,000 for discharge or serious harm cases) and requires employers appealing board orders involving backpay or monetary awards to post bonds equal to the full award amount

• Repeals all new election procedures on January 1, 2028, reverting to the existing polling place election system