Washington, DC – Recent reports have indicated that labor organizations are once again demanding the Senate pass the woefully misguided Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act (H.R. 842, S. 420).

The following statement can be attributed to CDW Chair Kristen Swearingen:

“The PRO Act is a wishlist of radical labor policies that would upend federal labor law, abandon the government’s responsibility to remain neutral in labor-management relations, and do significant damage to the economy. It would infringe on the rights of workers and employers alike and would cost millions of American jobs, threaten vital supply chains already struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and diminish opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

“The bill tries to increase union density and union leverage at the bargaining table at any cost. The Board is completely ignoring the negative impacts this rulemaking could have on workers, businesses, and the economy. For example, an American Action Forum study found the bill’s independent contractor provision could cost up to $57 billion nationwide, and the joint-employer changes would cost franchises up to $33.3 billion a year, lead to over 350,000 job losses, and increase lawsuits by 93%.

“Voters too recognize that this bill is a disaster. A national survey conducted by Forbes Tate found the following opposition to major provisions within the PRO Act:

• 70% of voters are concerned about the PRO Act abolishing state right-to-work protections;
• 75% are concerned about the bill’s efforts to require employers to turn over employee personal information to union organizers without the consent of the employee;
• 67% are concerned about eliminating secret ballot elections in favor of a system where votes are revealed to everyone;
• 70% are concerned that the PRO Act limits workers’ ability to work as independent contractors; and
• 65% are concerned the bill would upend the franchise business model, turning existing owners of franchises into employees of the brand and reducing new franchise ownership opportunities.

“The PRO Act would be a disaster for employees, employers, and the economy. At a time of soaring inflation, signs of a pending recession, supply chain disruptions, and severe workforce shortages, Congress should focus instead on finding ways to alleviate some of the economic pain Americans are feeling nationwide.”