Johnson, Murphy, and Roe Introduce Worker's Choice Act

Statement

U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Greg Murphy (R-N.C.), and Dr. Phil Roe (R-TN) today introduced the Worker's Choice Act, which would amend the National Labor Relations Act to empower employees in a unionized workplace to independently negotiate their employment terms with their employer.

In Right-to-Work states like South Dakota, North Carolina, and Tennessee, an employee who opts-out of union participation is still subject to the collectively bargained employment terms negotiated by the union. The National Labor Relations Act provides unions with exclusive bargaining power, but under the Worker's Choice Act, workers will not be forced to have unions represent their interests and dictate employment terms.

The Worker's Choice Act is supported by Heritage Action, FreedomWorks, Americans for Prosperity, Institute for the American Worker, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Center for Worker Freedom, Americans for Tax Reform, and Club for Growth.

"Employees deserve their own negotiating power," said Johnson. "The Worker's Choice Act allows American workers in union shops to set their own terms with their boss, the employer."

"Ending exclusive representation would be a huge victory for workers' freedom. Jobs today are more unique, and many workers want more flexibility and opportunity than rigid union-negotiated contracts provide," said Murphy. "Ending this relic of the past would free unions from having to represent non-dues paying members and it would free workers to choose their own method of negotiations--including one that does not force them into employment contracts that don't represent what they want and need."

"With the rapid growth of the U.S. economy, and more job openings than job seekers, workers are benefiting like never before," said Congressman Roe. "I am proud to join my friend and colleague Congressman Dusty Johnson in supporting this commonsense piece of legislation to help empower workers to choose their workplace representation and to earn higher wages."

Heritage Action: "The Worker's Choice Act would finally allow workers the freedom to negotiate their own contracts, salaries, and working conditions. For too long, union bosses have held a monopoly over negotiations on the behalf of workers, even in states where workers are free to leave their union contracts. Heritage Action applauds Rep. Johnson for working to empower workers with more choice and more freedom in the workplace."

Americans for Prosperity - SD State Director Don Haggar: "Workers should have power over their paychecks and be free to choose who speaks for them in the workplace. We applaud Representative Dusty Johnson for taking on this important issue by introducing the Worker's Choice Act, legislation that would end the restrictive practice of exclusive representation, and in doing so, expand worker freedom. By allowing workers to opt out of monopoly union representation, even unions benefit by no longer having to commit resources towards those who don't want their representation in the first place. With Workers Choice, workers can stand up for themselves."

Americans for Tax Reform: "Today, American workers in the private sector who choose not to join and support a union are still "represented" by that union. This gives the unions tremendous power over these non-union member workers, effectively forcing many workers to join a union. Congressman Dusty Johnson's Worker's Choice Act would allow these private sector workers the opportunity to represent themselves, giving workers the true freedom to decide whether or not to join and support a union. Americans for Tax Reform strongly supports this legislation."

FreedomWorks: "Freedom of association is one of the cornerstones of American liberty. This is no exception in the workplace. Rep. Johnson's bill would free workers to negotiate independently of unions and ensure they don't have to pay union dues. On the other hand, unions would no longer be forced to negotiate terms for workers who don't contribute to them. It is a win-win for those involved, and we appreciate the innovative problem solving that the Worker's Choice Act employs."

Center for Worker Freedom: "The Center for Worker Freedom strongly supports Representative Dusty Johnson's Worker's Choice Act because the legislation would restore the First Amendment rights of private sector workers. American workers should have the choice of whether to accept union representation or not."

Competitive Enterprise Institute: The Worker's Choice Act is a commonsense bill that Democrats and Republicans should both embrace. Workers should not be forced to have a union speak on their behalf or work under a union contract against their will. The bill fixes this injustice by allowing workers to represent themselves and negotiate their own work terms directly with their employer. It is time to stop forcing union representation on workers and instead give individuals the freedom to choose how they are represented at the workplace.

F. Vincent Vernuccio, Senior Fellow at the Mackinac Center and President of Institute for the American Worker: "Representative Johnson's bill creates a fairer system for everyone. Worker's Choice gives employees the ability to say no thanks to unwanted representation and unions the ability to say goodbye to workers that do not want to pay dues."

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