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Congressman Tim Ryan Votes for Biggest Worker-Rights Legislation in Decades

Press Release

By: Tim Ryan
By: Tim Ryan
Date: Feb. 6, 2020
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Business and Consumers Labor Unions

Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) today voted for the most significant worker-rights legislation in 80 years. The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act will guard union elections from employer interference, require employers to negotiate with newly elected unions, ensure employees can't be misclassified as supervisors or independent contractors, invalidate state "right-to-work-for-less" laws, and stiffen penalties for violations of workers' rights.

"Too many American workers put in long hours in difficult working environments just to line the pockets of their wealthy bosses and big corporations. It's time we reinvest in our middle class. That means reinvesting in American workers -- which is exactly what the PRO Act does," said Congressman Ryan. "I came to Congress to fight for workers, empower unions, and support the families that made this country great. I know that the middle class was built on the backs of American workers, and our future will be too," said Congressman Tim Ryan. "Labor unions are the backbone of our economy. They have played a vital role in securing worker protections by allowing workers to collectively bargain for better wages and work environments. Collective bargaining has led to workers' rights, overtime pay, minimum wage, and the 40-hour work weeks. Allowing workers to unionize has been key to improving our work environments and keeping employers accountable for safe workplaces and fair working conditions."

Nearly 12% of the entire Ohio workforce holds membership to a union. A recent Princeton study revealed that, over the last eight decades, unions have consistently provided workers with a 10- to 20-percent wage boost over their non-union counterparts.

Congressman Ryan was an original cosponsor of the PRO Act. This vote comes after Congressman Ryan joined with 75 of his House colleagues to urge House Leadership to bring the PRO Act to a vote in a January 9, 2020 letter. The full letter can be found here.


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