WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) joined House and Senate Democrats in introducing the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. The PRO Act is comprehensive legislation that will 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 empowers millions of Americans to stand together and ensure hardworking people are getting their fair share of economic growth. Senator Coons is a member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.

“For generations, the labor movement has enabled Delawareans to receive better wages, a more secure retirement, and safer workplaces,” said Senator Coons. “I’m proud to cosponsor the PRO Act and join my Democratic colleagues to protect the rights of Delaware’s workers to form unions and negotiate fair working conditions and to restore the soul of our nation’s middle class.” 

The PRO Act protects the basic right to join a union:

  • Holds employers accountable for violating workers’ rights by authorizing meaningful penalties, facilitating initial collective bargaining agreements, and closing loopholes that allow employers to misclassify their employees as supervisors and independent contractors.
  • Empowers workers to exercise their right to organize by strengthening support for workers who suffer retaliation for exercising their rights, protecting workers’ right to support secondary boycotts, ensuring workers can collect “fair share” fees, and authorizing a private right of action for violation of workers’ rights.
  • Secures free, fair, and safe union elections by preventing employers from interfering in union elections, prohibiting captive audience meetings, and requiring employers to be transparent with their workers.

The House bill was introduced by the Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.). The Senate companion was introduced by the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Chair Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The bill text of the PRO Act is available here. A fact sheet on the PRO Act is available here.

 

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