The House has passed a bill that advocates for workers’ right to unionize is now headed to the senate.
What We Know:
- The House has just passed a bill that some claim to be the most pro-worker labor reform the country has taken in quite some time. On Tuesday night, The House voted 226- 206 on a bill known as, The PRO act” or “The Protect The Right To Organize Act.” The bill was made with the intention of encouraging workers’ right to unionize without any harsh consequences from their employers.
- President Joe Biden has shown his support for the bill and claims that it will aid America in combating the “economic crisis.” “I urge Congress to pass the act to my desk so we can summon a new wave of worker power and create an economy that works for everyone,” said Biden. The Biden administration has made it a priority to help the middle class when it comes to creating more unionized jobs.
- The PRO act will strengthen workers’ right to hold fair union elections without being punished by their employers and work in favor of the workers if they ever protested against unfair pay for horrible working conditions. According to reports, Amazon workers in Alabama have been attempting to unionize, and Biden is in favor of them doing so.
Workers in Alabama – and all across America – are voting on whether to organize a union in their workplace. It’s a vitally important choice – one that should be made without intimidation or threats by employers.
Every worker should have a free and fair choice to join a union. pic.twitter.com/2lzbyyii1g
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 1, 2021
- Despite the President’s support of the bill and proceeding through the house successfully, it is not guaranteed that it will pass in the Senate. Although the Democrats have slim control over the Senate, the bill will still have to gather 60 votes to avoid a filibuster.
The House passed a version of this bill last year but didn’t make it past a Republican-led Senate. This year the Senate will also determine if this piece of legislation will face the same fate.
