Community Corner

Southington Representatives Battle Over Captive Audience Bill

State Rep. Bruce "Zeke" Zalaski helps push the Captive Audience bill through after an 11-hour debate, but Republican opponents say the the bill is counterproductive to economic development efforts.

State Rep. Bruce “Zeke” Zalaski believed so strongly in the need for his Captive Audience bill that he stood before the state House of Representatives Wednesday evening for 11 hours straight, answering questions and presenting counterpoints to opponents of the bill.

The effort paid off for the Southington Democrat.

House members approved the bill 78-65 just after 1 a.m. Thursday morning, sending it on to the state Senate for a second vote. The bill presented would prohibit Connecticut employers from requiring their workers to attend meetings that include any discussions of the employer’s religious and political beliefs.

“This is an important step towards protecting First Amendment rights for workers in the state,” Zalaski said Thursday. “It’s something I’ve lived through years ago and an employer should not have the right to force their opinions upon workers unless it relates directly to the workers’ job responsibilities.”

If approved by the senate and signed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, employees who are discharged or penalized for not attending a meeting determined to violate worker rights would be given 90 days to seek relief through Superior Court civil action. Relief would include rehiring or reinstatement as well as monetary damages and reasonable attorney fees and costs.

The controversial bill emerged last year from Zalaski’s conversation with an attorney who described the issue, and the Southington representative said it opened his eyes to the way some businesses were trying to push their personal views upon workers.

Minority Republicans said the bill oversteps the bounds of government, however, and is counterproductive to effort in making Connecticut a more business-friendly state.

House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk, questioned the legislation and said he wasn't aware of so-called captive audience meetings causing issues in Connecticut, according to an Associated Press report. Federal law already punishes employers who try to force their political and religious views on workers, he said.

At a time when the state desperately needs to grow its economic base, State Rep. Rob Sampson said the Captive Audience bill only further drives the economy into a red zone by creating unnecessary restrictions on employers.

Sampson, R-Southington, said the bill is extremely vague and directly affects employer rights by directly affecting company rights to set policy regarding pay and benefits.

Alongside higher taxes for businesses and bills that would force businesses to take on paid sick leave, he said this type of legislation could drive businesses out of Connecticut.

“If we as a state continue to dictate how they do business, it will only further send a poor message that will drive employers to look elsewhere,” he said. “We need to be finding ways to encourage companies and prospective residents to consider moving to Connecticut and show them this is a good place to live.”

Those in favor of the legislation, including Zalaski, defended the bill as sending a message that everyone’s rights are being protected. They said it does not restrict business but rather defends everyone’s right to personal opinions, including business owners.

Zalaski compared the legislation to sexual harassment law, saying the bill would simply provide state workers the right to not have to listen if employers try to push their belief systems onto their workers.

“This doesn’t take away anyone’s right to their opinion, it further encourages it,” he said. “Business owners still have their right to speak out – with this they won’t be able to force their employees into a room and force them to listen.”


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