Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. MRVAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Scott for this time and opportunity to speak in support of H.R. 842, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act.

Unions are the backbone of northwest Indiana's economy, and we must do all we can to strengthen the ability for all workers to form unions. For far too long, State and Federal policies have targeted union workers and their ability to position themselves and leverage.

Today, we change that. Today, we have the backs of working families. When workers can stand together and form a union, they have the ability to use their collective voice for fair wages, safe working conditions, improved health benefits, and a more secure retirement.

Organized labor is essential to creating opportunities for all individuals to have a good-paying career where they can take care of themselves and their families.

I believe that the divide in our Nation is by workers believing they will be left behind. The PRO Act will lift up workers and unite workers.

I thank Chairman Scott for this time, and I urge all of my colleagues to support the PRO Act so that we can move forward in creating an economy that works for everyone.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers.

International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers,
Washington, DC, March 8, 2021.

Dear House Members: On behalf of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), I am writing to express our strong support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, H.R. 842. The PRO Act is historic legislation that will help level the playing field and provide workers the opportunity to freely exercise their right to organize a union. President Biden captured this fundamental principle clearly and succinctly when he told America's workers and companies that ``The choice to join a union is up to the workers--full stop.''

BAC is proud of the relationship that we share with our signatory employers across the United States to provide vital building and construction services to the communities we live in. However, our members, and just as importantly the contractors that hire them, are under assault by unscrupulous corporations and employers that abuse and deny their workers from having a meaningful voice in the workplace. The PRO Act would help address these abuses and provide workers a fair shot at forming a union of their choice to bargain for better wages, benefits, and conditions in the workplace.

Too often, employers intentionally violate the law during organizing campaigns because some of the penalties are so weak that low road employers just view them as a small cost of doing the business of union busting. The PRO act strengthens penalties for such behavior in order to deter employers from interfering with worker's rights.

The PRO Act also clarifies the definition of independent contractor and supervisor to help prevent the misclassification of workers. Misclassification is far too common in construction and other industries and it prevents workers from exercising their rights, getting the pay and benefits they deserve, and deprives communities of much- needed revenue through tax evasion.

Our economy is out of balance and it is time for Congress to step up to protect working class families and restore economic stability. We urge you to support the PRO Act and oppose any weakening amendments when the House of Representatives considers the bill.
Sincerely,
Timothy J. Driscoll, President.

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