Government affairs
Legislative Updates
On February 6, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act (H.R. 2474), legislation that would increase protections for workers’ right to organize and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, safer working conditions, and more.
The 224 to 194 vote saw 219 Democrats and 5 Republicans voting in favor of the PRO Act; while 7 Democrats, 186 Republicans, and Justin Amash (I-MI) voted against the bill; and 12 members not voting (6 of whom were cosponsors).
5 Republicans in favor of PRO Act
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
Rep. John Katko (R-NY)
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ)
Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
7 Democrats against the PRO Act
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX)
Rep. Joe Cunningham (D-SC)
Rep. Kendra Horn (D-OK)
Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT)
Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA)
Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL)
Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR)
“House passage of the PRO Act is a powerful statement of support for America’s workers, and we are thankful to the Members of Congress who stood up for the American people by supporting this legislation” said NALC President Fredric Rolando. “All Americans deserve the right not simply to stand together and negotiate a fair return on our work, but to have that right protected and enforceable through the court of law. For too long, corporations and the wealthiest few have been prioritized to the detriment of our nation’s labor force.”
Passage of this bill follows years of stagnant wages for the majority of Americans, poor working conditions, and attacks on unions and workers’ rights in general by corporate special interests and their representatives. This is a fantastic statement of intent from the House as Senate passage of the companion bill (S. 1306) is unlikely due to Republican control of the chamber and opposition to the legislation.
NALC will follow the progression of this bill in the Senate as well as the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act (H.R. 3463) in order to keep letter carriers updated on any movement.
