In the middle of the grief-stricken aftermath of President Trump’s acquittal, House Democrats passed the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act). Despite its name, the bill goes much further than simply protecting unionization.
The bill, which passed 224-193, is the most comprehensive, radical pro-union legislation pushed through Congress in recent history. It passed primarily along party lines, with a few Republicans voting for the bill. The PRO Act would decrease barriers for certifying unions, eliminate right-to-work laws, mandate employees pay union dues and even eliminate the possibility of workers being denied employment on account of an illegal immigration status.
Forcing workers to fall in line with unions and the interests of big labor is not pro-worker, as Rep. Fred Keller (R-PA) points out:
“The PRO Act needlessly inserts more government control into the employee-employer relationship,” Rep. Keller said on the House floor.
I just voted against the PRO Act. You can't be pro-jobs and anti-business, but by passing this radical messaging bill tonight, the left showed they are anti-business, anti-worker, and pro-special interest.https://t.co/TT9oMG3JL3
— Congressman Fred Keller (@RepFredKeller) February 7, 2020
Indeed, the PRO Act vests all power into employers and takes away the rights of workers. The PRO Act does not empower the American worker nor give any power back to the employee.
“Cloaked in the language of employee protection, the real result of the PRO Act is providing workers with fewer choices, fewer rights, and an inability to speak for themselves,” Rep. Keller said.
The PRO Act is expected to be dead-on-arrival in Leader McConnell’s Senate chamber.