Today, the House passed the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. In response, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement:

“Reflected in our improved quality of life, our country has enjoyed the benefits of the leaders in the Labor movement who courageously fought and shed blood for the 8 hour workday, fair wages and safe working conditions. Wisconsin workers and activists were at the forefront of this powerful movement. The first workers compensation program and public sector bargaining laws began in our state. While we have made tremendous progress since American families toiled in mills and factories, we are still in a pivotal fight to build upon these gains.

All workers, public  and private, deserve the right to organize and collective bargain to improve their working conditions. Unfortunately, the major federal law to protect those rights has not kept up with the continuing attacks on labor, including right here in Wisconsin.  Concerted and deliberate efforts risk rolling back these hard-fought achievements. 27 states, including Wisconsin, now have “right-to-work” laws, which undermine the ability of workers to negotiate for better wages and working conditions. It’s not a coincidence that as union participation has decreased, income inequality has skyrocketed.

I am pleased to support the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act to empower workers ability to use their collective voices to ensure that their hard work is reflected in their paycheck and in safer working conditions. Unions helped create a strong middle class and won benefits that have been enjoyed by all workers. I supported the passage of the PRO Act because it puts workers first and puts in place more effective mechanisms to stop violations of workers’ rights to pursue collective bargaining, and attempts to hinder their ability to unionize.

Among other provisions, H.R. 2474 would strengthen protections for employees engaged in collective action over wages and work conditions, work to close loopholes that some employers use to avoid coverage under the National Labor Relations Act, make it easier for workers and employers to reach an initial collective bargaining agreement, and provide for stronger remedies for employees whose rights under federal labor law have been violated.”

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