Democrats reintroduce pro-union bill on Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON (TND) — Congressional Democrats reintroduced the pro-union Protect the Right to Organize Act, known as the PRO Act for short. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, says the legislation will build up the middle class and help American workers.

So that they can reap the benefits of higher pay, better benefits, and a safer workplace that people who belong to unions enjoy," Scott said.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies, D-N.Y., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. are backing the effort. Public support for unions hitting a six-decade high. A 2022 Gallup poll found 71% of Americans approve of labor unions.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce staunchly opposes the bill saying it would undermine worker rights, ensnare employers in labor disputes, disrupt the economy and force Americans to pay union dues regardless of if they want to.

Small business franchise owners like Susan Cornish say the bill will increase operational costs.

"Additional responsibilities that I’ll have as an employer already on top of the tightening labor market and the wages that have increased since COVID," Cornish said.

Businesses often pass these increases in overhead onto the consumer in the form of higher-priced goods and services. Cornish says the new bill will also cut franchise owners out of labor decisions by allowing unions to negotiate with the corporations directly rather than individual owners.

Republicans are standing firmly against the PRO Act as they did previous versions. With the GOP in control of the House, the bill has a tough path forward.

Scott says he believes Democrats can get some colleagues to cross the aisle to support the effort.

"If you’re talking about people who are working for a living, need to be able to negotiate for better wages, safer workplaces, better benefits, I think they have workers in their districts too and a lot of people are interested in the legislation," said Scott.

Democrats did get a handful of Republicans to vote for previous versions of the PRO Act but now that the House is under GOP control, the hurdles are much higher.