SF 3623

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 05/18/2016 09:03am

A bill for an act
relating to labor relations; clarifying terms related to meatpacking workers;
providing for notification in languages other than English and Spanish;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections 179.86, subdivisions 1, 3; 181.635,
subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 179.86, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definition.

For the purpose of this section, "employer" means new text begin (1)
new text end an employer deleted text begin in the meatpacking industry deleted text end new text begin employing more than 20 full-time equivalent
employees in one location who pack, can, or otherwise process poultry or meat for
human consumption, or (2) an employer of any size whose employees routinely clean or
sterilize meat processing or poultry processing equipment used by an employer as defined
in clause (1) new text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 179.86, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Information provided to employee by employer.

(a) An employer
must provide an explanation deleted text begin in an employee's native language deleted text end of the employee's rights
and duties as an employee either person to person or through written materials that, at a
minimum, include:

(1) a complete description of the salary and benefits plans as they relate to the
employee;

(2) a job description for the employee's position;

(3) a description of leave policies;

(4) a description of the work hours and work hours policy; and

(5) a description of the occupational hazards known to exist for the position.

(b) The explanation must also include information on the following employee rights
as protected by state or federal law and a description of where additional information
about those rights may be obtained:

(1) the right to organize and bargain collectively and refrain from organizing and
bargaining collectively;

(2) the right to a safe workplace; and

(3) the right to be free from discrimination.

new text begin (c) The explanation must be provided in a language the employee speaks fluently.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 181.635, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Recruiting; required disclosure.

An employer shall provide written
disclosure of the terms and conditions of employment to a person at the time it recruits the
person to relocate to work in the food processing industry. The disclosure requirement
does not apply to an exempt employee as defined in United States Code, title 29, section
213(a)(1). The disclosure must be written in deleted text begin English and Spanish, deleted text end new text begin a language the
employee speaks fluently in addition to any other languages preferred by the employer.
The disclosure must be new text end dated and signed by the employer and the person recruited, and
maintained by the employer for two years. new text begin If the employer has any reason to doubt the
employee's ability to read, the employer must read the disclosure out loud to the employee
in a language the employee speaks fluently before the disclosure is signed. new text end A copy of the
signed and completed disclosure must be delivered immediately to the recruited person.
The disclosure may not be construed as an employment contract.