Rep. Craig Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize, Collectively Bargain

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) helped re-introduce the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act to protect workers’ right to organize and bargain for higher wages, better benefits and safer working conditions. 

"Having grown up in a union family, I understand that the power to collectively bargain is essential to building the middle class and promoting workers’ rights,” said Rep. Craig. “Since I came to Congress, I have fought alongside Minnesota’s unions to protect the right to organize and collectively bargain for better wages and safer working conditions. I’m proud to be re-introducing this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to empower Minnesota’s union workers and strengthen the middle class. 

The PRO Act would protect the right to organize and collectively bargain by: 

• Enforcing meaningful penalties for employers that violate workers' rights;
• Strengthening support for workers who suffer retaliation;
• Authorizing a private right of action for violation of workers' rights;
• Protecting workers' right to support secondary boycotts;
• Ensuring workers can collect "fair share" fees;
• Modernizing the union election process;
• Facilitating initial collective bargaining agreements;
• Closing loopholes that allow employers to misclassify their employees as supervisors and independent contractors;
• Increasing transparency in labor-management relations. 

This legislation has the strong support of Minnesota unions.

“The PRO Act will safeguard the rights of Minnesota educators and other workers to collectively bargain and organize for competitive wages and fair treatment in the workplace,” said Denise Specht, President of Education Minnesota. “At a time when so many workers are struggling, it is vital for Congress to pass this bill. Our union of more than 84,000 educators thanks Rep. Craig for standing up for them and their families.”

“AFGE proudly stands in solidarity with our brothers, sisters, and siblings in the labor movement by fully supporting the PRO Act. Strengthening the right to organize and collectively bargain isn’t just a private-sector issue, it’s a fight for all workers. When unions are strong, all working people benefit,” said Justin Perpich, Legislative and Political Organizer, AFGE.

“AFSCME Council 5 fully and completely supports the passage of the PRO Act because the deck has been stacked against working people for far too long,” said Bart Andersen, AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director.“While billionaires and corporations hoard record profits and rig the rules in their own favor, workers are fighting to have a stronger voice on the job. The PRO Act would finally rebalance the scales—protecting the right to organize and form a union, holding greedy corporations and employers accountable, and putting power back where it belongs: in the hands of the people who actually do the work. We must pass the PRO Act and build an economy that rewards hard work, not just hoarded wealth. Our union is thrilled that Rep. Angie Craig has reintroduced the PRO Act and we thank her for standing alongside union members and working families every step of the way.”

“Workers want – and America needs – more unions. Unions advocate for working people to keep all of us safer, healthier and able to enjoy a higher quality of life. The PRO Act will protect and strengthen workers’ freedom to join a union to have a say in decisions affecting their pay, benefits and working conditions. On behalf of the 14,000 members of Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Minnesota and North Dakota, thank you Representative Angie Craig for introducing the PRO Act. Now Congress needs to get it done,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota.

You can read the full text of the bill here.

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