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Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act

“PRO ACT” WILL BRING SWEEPING CHANGE TO THE LABOR SECTOR

President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion PRO Act represents a major shift toward empowering workers by creating millions of new, well-paying jobs, and dramatically enhancing the power of workers to organize and bargain collectively for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act reverses years of national anti-worker public policy, with a range of provisions making it easier for workers’ to form unions, conduct strikes, bargain collectively, and protect whistleblowers. The coronavirus pandemic made clear the need to put added focus on worker’s rights, as Americans continue to struggle with job security and the health risks associated with returning to work. The PRO Act adds new teeth to existing labor law and institutes new National Labor Relations Board-levied fines and civil penalties for labor rights violations. Such changes make it harder for employers and corporate interests to undercut companies who partner with union labor.

KEY PRO-WORKER FEATURES OF THE PRO ACT INCLUDE:

• Prohibits employers from requiring their employees to attend “captive audience” meetings or participate in anti-union activities.

• Ensures that workers can quickly finalize a contract after a union is formed.

• Prohibits employers from replacing workers who choose to participate in a strike. • Repeals harmful ‘Right to Work’ laws that compromise workers’ wages and safety. • Empowers the National Labor Relations

Board to penalize corporations that fail to comply, thus holding them accountable for any anti-worker actions. • Protects whistleblowers from discrimination and termination.

As Local 103 members, we appreciate workplace protections and dignity that our union membership affords us. Through provisions that protect the freedom to organize and strengthen unions, the PRO Act will provide all workers with an opportunity to benefit from union values.

103 TODAY | SPRING 2021 8