Congresswoman Bush Congratulates Staff on Unionization Vote

Press Release

Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) released the following statement after staff in her office voted 10-0 to form a union. The office of Congresswoman Bush is among the first congressional offices to unionize along with workers in the offices of Representatives Andy Levin (MI-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), and Ilhan Omar (MN-05).

"As an activist, organizer, and the proud daughter of a union meat cutter, I could not be prouder of my staff--they have made history as being among the first congressional offices to unionize on Capitol Hill." said Congresswoman Bush. "I believe that to supporting unions is supporting everyday people, and as a Congresswoman that is my mandate. Every worker--including my staff--deserves to have a union to represent them. My staff's work in helping to lead the charge to realize labor rights here in Congress is inspiring. I am proud to be in solidarity with the Congressional Workers Union."

"We are ecstatic to have won union rights and a voice at work in today's election. At a time when the cracks in the foundation of our democracy are clearer than ever, our landslide election victory will make Congress more democratic by delivering us a seat at the bargaining table." said Congresswoman Bush's staff. "Together, we will continue to fight for every person's right to unionize, organize, and vocalize our needs as workers, as well as, continue to support Congresswoman Bush in her fight for these same rights in the community we serve."

"The staff working for Congresswoman Cori Bush join dozens of workers on Capitol Hill making their workplace more democratic and equitable by joining a union, and we congratulate them for this incredible victory" said the Congressional Workers Union. "Congresswoman Bush has been a powerful advocate for working people in Congress, and we look forward to working with her in the months to come."

Congresswoman Bush is an ardent champion for labor rights and has led and supported efforts to strengthen and expand protections for workers on Capitol Hill and in St. Louis and across our country. Congresswoman Bush was an original co-sponsor of Congressman Andy Levin's historic House Resolution 915, which gave Congressional workers in the House the right to unionize. In September, Congresswoman Bush introduced two climate safety bills in direct response to the tragedy that occurred at an Amazon Warehouse in Edwardsville, Illinois where workers were allegedly forced to work through a deadly hurricane resulting in 6 lives lost, including two of her constituents. She introduced the Workers Safety in Climate Disasters Act and the Wind Safety Standard Act. The Worker Safety in Climate Disasters Act would prevent workers from being fired for seeking shelter during disasters and offer paid time off for workers affected by those disasters, and the Wind Safety Standard Act would require the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to create a Wind Safety Standard modeled after the Heat Safety Standard to protect workers put in danger in the workplace by high wind conditions.

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