Basic Information on the PRO Act

Support for unions increased tremendously during these pandemic years as people want to have a bigger say if their work lives. Despite this ever growing popular support, there are laws that are on the books that make it easy for corporations to thwart the will of their employees. The Pro Act (Protecting the Right to Organize) aims to change that. Currently employers fire union supporters, and force workers to attend mandatory meetings where the topic is union bashing. They do all without fear of being penalized.

Passing the Pro Act will protect workers’ right to unionize by ensuring that employers cannot fire and permanently replace workers who are on strike or lockout, suspend or withhold work from employees to stop them striking. If an employer fires an employee for union organizing activity fines can range from $50,000 to $100,000. The Pro Act creates a private right of action so that illegally fired workers can file civil lawsuits. The act allows employees to vote away form their place of employment, getting them away form their employer’s peering eyes. And the Pro Act prohibits employers from forcing workers to attend the above-mentioned mandatory meetings.

The act also prohibits employers from changing work conditions, pay or benefits while negotiation a contract. It also prevents employers from withdrawing recognition of a union in anticipation of an expiration of a union contract.

Employers will spend millions of dollars to hire union busters to help spread their anti-union message. The Pro Act requires prompt disclosure of how much money is being spend on union busting activities.

Even when workers vote to have a union, employers often delay the start of negotiations that first contract. The Pro Act will help get those all-important negotiations started by mandating collective bargaining to begin within 10 days of the certified union’s request to do so, requiring mediation if no contract is reached within 90 days and it requires the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to order the employer to bargain if the union wins the election.

Unions are the path workers use to secure their financial future by bargaining for benefits such as higher wages, better health care benefits, and more paid time off. It’s time to remove the barriers that prevent workers from forming unions. It’s time to pass the Pro Act.