Kildee Champions Passage of Bill to Strengthen Rights of Workers in Michigan

Press Release

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today applauded the passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This bill would strengthen federal laws to protect workers' right to organize, negotiate wages and fight for fair working conditions.

"Unions are the foundation of the American middle class and the reason that all American workers--not just those in a union--enjoy a higher standard of living than their peers across the globe, including higher pay, safer working conditions and a 40-hour work week. As we continue to struggle from the economic effects of the coronavirus, we need to ensure there are good paying jobs to help provide a robust recovery," Congressman Kildee said. "I applaud the passage of the PRO Act, which is the most comprehensive transformation of U.S. labor laws in 80 years, and urge my colleagues in the U.S. Senate to take this critical legislation up for a vote."

The PRO Act would guarantee the rights of workers by:

Strengthening workers' right to strike for basic workplace improvements;
Protecting the right of workers, whether in a union or not, to engage in collective legal actions, such as employment-related class action lawsuit;
Protecting workers who try to join a union from employer retaliation; and
Authorizing monetary penalties for employers who violate federal labor laws.
Congressman Kildee is a strong advocate for Michigan workers. This Congress, he cosponsored the Family And Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, which would establish a national paid family and medical leave insurance program. Congressman Kildee voted for the House-passed American Rescue Plan, which would strengthen workplace protections for essential workers.

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