Pass the Pro Act
“Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection.”
What is the PRO Act?
In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)—sometimes considered the “magna carta” of US labor law—thus enshrining the right of workers to organize a union. In the nearly 100 years that have passed since then however, the NLRA’s pro-worker framework has faced repeated attacks from corporate lobbyists and anti-worker politicians. As a result, employers often violate labor relations laws with impunity, using threats, retribution, and false information to prevent their workers from unionizing. What’s more, many vulnerable occupations that tend to be held by Latinos and other minorities, including farm work and domestic work, were excluded from the protections of the NLRA.
The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act is a landmark piece of labor rights that would revamp our labor laws to prevent employers from undue intemperance in the organizing and union election process. Introduced in the House of Representatives in February 2021, the bill has stalled in the Senate. That’s why it’s more important than ever that you contact your senator and tell them how important fair labor laws are for our communities!
Why does it matter?
Unionized workers earn an average of $191 per week than their non-unionized counterparts, and they are much more likely to enjoy comprehensive healthcare coverage and paid vacation time than non-unionized workers. Because of the “union difference,” union jobs can provide a sure path to middle class stability and dignified working conditions for millions of Americans. But this is only possible when unions are accessible to everyone.
The PRO Act would end historic inequities in labor relations laws by ensuring that:
Immigrants are entitled to restitution if an employer violates their labor rights during a union drive
Historically excluded workers are protected while organizing, including farm workers, domestic workers, and gig workers
Workers are protected from dismissal due to strikes and other collective actions
… among many other protections!
