Indivisibles,

This Labor Day, we’re recognizing the American labor movement and all the progress unions have made by demanding our senators protect workers’ rights to organize. One of the best ways we can work towards economic equality and racial justice (besides our push for an inclusive recovery) is by empowering workers across the country. The Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or PRO Act (S. 420), will put a stop to decades of organized labor attacks, reverse many anti-worker laws across the country, and give workers a real voice in their workplace. Click here to call your senators now and demand they sponsor the PRO Act, and then keep reading for more details. 

For decades, the rich and powerful have worked hard to widen the gulf between themselves and everyday workers -- and the result is staggering economic inequality, most acutely felt by workers of color. Companies and CEOs have worked tirelessly to prevent workers from organizing and using their collective voices, knowing that unions ensure better wages, more benefits, and safer workplaces. After decades of anti-worker legislation, right-wing court decisions, and a lack of federal protections, the share of workers represented by a union is less than half of what it was 40 years ago. 

So why are labor unions so important?

• Labor unions are one of the most effective tools to build power for workers, increase economic security, and spread wealth more equitably.
• Unions raise standards across the economy by making safer working conditions, better anti-discrimination policies, better benefits, and higher wages.
• Stronger unions lead to a stronger democracy by empowering workers to exercise their power as a voter and citizen -- in fact, states with higher rates of unionization also have higher rates of voter turnout.

Public approval of labor unions has gained in popularity in recent years, as 68% of Americans approve of unions (the highest approval since 1965). However, union membership is at an all-time low with only 9% of Americans report being in a labor union. The PRO Act is necessary legislation to repair and strengthen protections for workers around the county. Employers have made it incredibly difficult for workers to form a union through practices like weakening labor law at the federal level, misclassifying employees as “independent contractors”, and using the courts to push anti-worker decisions through so-called “right to work” laws. Luckily, the PRO Act will address many of these issues:

• Creates enforceable standards and penalties for companies that engage in union-busting tactics.
• Establishes a clear process for ensuring workers are able to successfully bargain a contract after they form a union in order to prevent employers from slow-walking the bargaining process.
• Prevents employers from misclassifying workers as “independent contractors” in an attempt to deny them benefits.
• Builds on state-level efforts to protect workers and puts an end to right-to-work laws.

With your help, we can help ensure Democrats get this bill across the finish line. If your senator is not yet a cosponsor of the PRO Act: call and tell them you support this critical bill and expect them to become a cosponsor as soon as possible. If your senator is already a cosponsor of the PRO Act: call and tell them you support it too and ask why they’re letting the Jim Crow filibuster block it from becoming law. Click here to make calls. Or for more details on the PRO Act, click here to read our explainer.

In solidarity and support this Labor Day,
Indivisible Team