On February 5th, the U.S. House made history by passing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act by a vote of 224-194.
This urgently needed legislation will empower millions of workers to improve their lives by joining unions because it will level the organizing playing field, which today is steeply tilted toward management.
As AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka said, “this is the most significant step Congress has taken to strengthen labor laws in the United States in 85 years and a win for workers everywhere.”
Specifically, the legislation will:
- Penalize employers who violate workers’ right to organize.
- Help workers secure a first contract.
- Protect workers who go on strike.
- And close loopholes that allow companies to misclassify workers as independent contractors.
Today, a majority of Americans say they want union representation. But only 10.3 percent of workers actually have it. That discrepancy is because our labor laws and the pathetic way in which they are enforced have stacked the deck in favor of management. The PRO Act will fix this problem, opening the door for waves of workers to bargain collectively, gain a voice in the workplace, and increase their standard of living.
That’s why I urge you to contact your U.S. Senators today. Tell them that if they want to make America great again for working people, they must pass the PRO Act now.
Please call your two senators at (202) 224-3121today! Nothing is more important to the future of our union and the entire labor movement.
Daniel E. Stepano
General President
