Sen. Chitlik files bill in North Carolina Senate to repeal collective bargaining ban

A new bill filed by State Sen. Sophia Chitlik in the North Carolina Senate aims to allow public employers and employees to negotiate contracts if they choose, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 903 on April 29 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Public Employees Deserve A Voice Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill repeals North Carolina’s statutory ban on collective bargaining agreements between public employers and labor unions, trade unions or labor organizations representing public employees, removing language that had declared such agreements illegal and void as against public policy. The bill does not establish new bargaining procedures but appears intended to allow public employers and employees to negotiate contracts if they choose. It appropriates $100,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Department of Labor for the 2026-27 fiscal year to inform public employees about the act, effective July 1, 2026, with the rest of the act effective when it becomes law.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Lisa Grafstein proposed the most bills (73) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Chitlik graduated from New York University in 2011 with a BA.

Chitlik, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2025 to represent the state’s 22nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Mike Woodard.