Congressman Morelle Takes Action to Protect Worker's Rights

Press Release

Today, Congressman Joe Morelle voted to pass the comprehensive legislation to protect every American worker's right to organize and negotiate for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which Rep. Morelle co-sponsors, is aimed at rebuilding the American middle-class and improving the lives of workers and their families.

"In this time of economic uncertainty, we must reaffirm our commitment to supporting every American worker," said Rep. Morelle. "That means empowering workers with the fundamental right to organize and make their voices heard. As the son and husband of life-long union members, I know just how critical these rights are to providing a sense of safety and security to working families, and I'm proud to support them by passing the PRO Act."

From 1979 to 2019, relentless attacks on workers' rights cut union membership by more than half. The PRO Act restores fairness to the economy by strengthening the federal laws that protect workers' right to join a union, improving the lives of workers and their families.

Specifically, this legislation will:

Empower the exercise of the right to organize by enhancing workers' right to support boycotts, strikes, or other acts of solidarity and streamline access to justice for workers who suffer retaliation for an exercise of their rights.
Hold employers accountable for violation of workers' rights through an authorization of meaningful penalties for companies and executives, requiring employer transparency, and closing loopholes used by corporations to erode workers' rights.
Secure free, fair, and safe union elections by facilitating initial collective bargaining agreements, preventing employer interference in union elections, and allowing workers to hold union elections in a safe, neutral environment.
"These protections are long overdue, and I am grateful to be a part of our country's continued commitment to middle-class workers," continued Rep. Morelle.

The legislation has passed the House of Representatives and will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

Source