The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act, H.R. 842), which today passed the House of Representatives. The bill would force employees to pay union dues regardless of whether they support a union, threaten private ballots in union elections, and strip workers of their independent contractor classification.
“A bill cannot be ‘pro-worker’ if it harms employees, threatens job creation, and undermines our economic recovery,” said Suzanne Clark, president and CEO-elect of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The PRO Act would threaten worker privacy, force employees to pay union dues or lose their jobs, and trample free speech rights. The Chamber will fight to ensure this wish list of union-sponsored priorities fails in the Senate and never becomes law.”
The U.S. Chamber will be running the above ad in targeted districts and states to remind voters of the importance of this issue throughout 2021.
Visit StopThePROact.com for more information.
The PRO Act would effectively overturn right-to-work laws that have been democratically passed in 27 states. If it becomes law, workers who choose to opt of out paying unwanted union dues could be fired. Under this legislation, independent contractors would lose flexible work arrangements and see fewer earning opportunities. It would also encourage “card check” voting where union organizers would approach individual workers and demand that they publicly sign a card in favor of the union. Additionally, employers would be stripped of fundamental legal rights, losing their standing in cases before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
In February, the PRO Act was reintroduced by Senate HELP Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Education and Labor Chair Bobby Scott (D-VA.). Earlier this week, the U.S. Chamber sent a letter to members of the House of Representatives opposing the PRO Act and notifying them that the Chamber will include votes on this legislation in our annual How They Voted scorecard.
###
