As corporations and top-level executives continue to benefit under the current economy, more and more working people are stuck in stagnation, or worse, falling behind. It’s time we in Congress confront that reality, and stop hiding behind “record markets” that aren’t necessarily trickling down to regular people.
The facts on this are clear: as Union membership has declined, income inequality has increased dramatically. That’s not an accident.
So I wanted to give you a quick update on legislation I was proud to support last week that addresses a few major problems preventing workers and unions from getting ahead and leveling the playing field for all workers. The Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or “PRO” Act is the most comprehensive workers’ rights legislation since The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The legislation:
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Establishes penalties for employers who try to fire or retaliate against workers who are trying to unionize. No employee should live in fear of organizing for a better future.
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Allows workers to streamline the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election process. This means that employers would be forbidden from interfering with the process that must be undertaken to form a union, giving workers the opportunity to explore unionizing without coercion.
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Requires employers to uphold their end of a collective bargaining agreement – regarding pay, benefits, and protections from harassment – within a reasonable time frame so the negotiation phase doesn’t drag on for months and years – a common tactic.
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Prohibits employers from misclassifying employees as contractors – a tactic that is sometimes used to deny workers full benefits or labor protections.
We know that when Unions are strong, the middle class is strong.
That’s why I will always stand up for a worker's right to unionize. And it’s up to us to hold employers accountable when they fail working families – and correcting those failings where we can.
As the daughter of a Union Ironworker, I look forward to keeping up the fight for strong unions, and supporting workers every chance I get.
More to come!