Murray, Jayapal, Cantwell, Smith Unveil Landmark Legislation to Protect Workers' Right to Organize

Statement

Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate labor committee, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) joined colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives to introduce the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act--comprehensive legislation to strengthen protections for workers' right to organize a union and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. As wage inequality continues to leave workers and middle-class families behind, this legislation would empower millions of Americans to stand together and ensure hardworking people are getting their fair share of economic growth.

A recent study published in the National Bureau of Economic Research found that unions have consistently provided workers with a 10- to 20-percent wage boost over their non-union counterparts over the past eight decades.

"Unions helped create the middle class in this country, but decades of attacks by corporate special interests have left many workers struggling to make ends meet and without a voice to advocate for themselves," said Senator Murray. "Our economy should work for everyone, not just corporate CEOs and billionaires--and that's why I'm proud to introduce the PRO Act to strengthen workers' bargaining power and their right to join a union to advocate for safer working conditions, better pay, and a secure retirement."

"Under GOP rule, we have seen countless policy changes that have resulted in an economy of inequality and instability for our country's most vulnerable workers. The Protecting the Right to Organize Act will help reverse the years of damage done by policies stripping workers of their right to unite and bargain for themselves. I am proud to co-lead this legislation that will restore fairness to an economy that has turned its back on the lower class and strengthen federal laws to protect workers' rights," said Congresswoman Jayapal.

"In Washington state, we know the power of unions and organized labor first-hand. We have the best workers in the world, who consistently prevail even when the deck is stacked against them. The working men and women of the United States are the reason why our country's economic productivity is the envy of the world. Today, as too many middle-class families struggle to make ends meet and too many people work long hours for too little pay, we need to strengthen collective bargaining and support working families," said Senator Cantwell.

"Labor unions and collective bargaining rights have and continue to play a crucial role in supporting our nation's workers and shaping the backbone of America's strong middle class," said Congressman Smith. "I am proud to introduce The PRO Act with my colleagues because it is more important than ever that we protect workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. Doing so is crucial to combatting increasing economic inequality, protecting workers' wellbeing, creating new living wage jobs, and ensuring that today's and future workers can build better life for themselves and their families."

Specifically, the PRO Act would:

Establish penalties on predatory corporations that violate workers' rights, and combat misclassification of workers as supervisors and independent contractors.
Strengthen workers' right to strike for basic workplace improvements, including higher wages and better working conditions.
Create a mandatory mediation and arbitration process to ensure corporations and newly formed unions reach a first contract.
Authorize unions and employers to negotiate agreements that allow unions to collect fair-share fees that cover the costs of representation.
Streamline the National Labor Relation Board's (NLRB) procedures to secure worker freedoms and effectively prevent violations.
Protect the integrity of union elections against coercive captive audience meetings.