Washington, D.C. (September 26, 2019) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee mark-up of HR 2474, the PRO Act:

LIUNA commends the House Education and Labor Committee for passing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. The right of workers to organize and form a union is a bedrock principle of a free and democratic society that helps ensure workers receive fair pay and benefits. Too often, this fundamental right is put in jeopardy.

 

The PRO Act will help by expanding the National Labor Relations Act to ensure that workers and unions have real, enforceable protections under the law. The law also expands remedies for workers whose rights have been violated as well as strengthening rights to organize and bargain for better working conditions, including preventing employers from misclassifying workers as supervisors and independent contractors, banning "captive audience" meetings, and pushing back on the recent so-called "right to work" laws with provisions allowing unions to collect fair share fees to cover representation costs.

 

LIUNA applauds the House Education and Labor Committee for their leadership on the PRO Act and urges the full U.S. House to quickly bring the legislation to the floor for a vote.

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The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America.