Washington, D.C. – A new report by the Institute for the American Worker (I4AW) found that the proposed labor provisions in the U.S. House budget reconciliation bill would enact sweeping changes to federal labor law that would severely undermine workers’ freedoms in an attempt to push more workers into unions.
The report identified the following anti-worker provisions in the House budget reconciliation bill:
Kristen Swearingen, Chair of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), composed of more than 600 major business and industry groups representing millions of businesses that employ tens of millions of workers nationwide, said the report illustrates how the proposed labor provisions will undermine worker freedoms.
“These pro-union labor provisions in the proposed House budget reconciliation bill are drastic and radical changes to established labor law that only serve to boost union membership at the expense of American workers,” stated Swearingen. “From tax breaks for union dues to attacking independent contracting to souring the employer-worker relationship, these provisions only serve to boost the power and influence of unions while preventing workers from exercising their essential rights and freedoms.”
Swearingen went on to say that these provisions were only included because the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act has stalled in the U.S. Senate due to a lack of support.
“Union bosses and their allies have resorted to using the budget reconciliation bill to implement their anti-worker agenda, because the dangerous and misguided PRO Act couldn’t muster enough support on its own in the Senate,” said Swearingen. “Big Labor’s lobbyists have chosen to use the budget reconciliation bill as its vehicle to sneak in their partisan and anti-worker policies, because they are desperate to force American workers into their ranks and save their bottom line.”
Swearingen concluded, “We strongly urge Members of Congress to oppose these anti-worker labor provisions in the budget reconciliation bill to prevent the forced unionization of American workers.”
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About The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
CDW is a broad-based coalition of hundreds of organizations representing hundreds of thousands of employers and millions of employees in various industries across the country concerned with a long-standing effort by some in the labor movement to make radical changes to the National Labor Relations Act without regard to the severely negative impact they would have on employees, employers, and the economy. CDW was originally formed in 2005 in opposition to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) – a bill similar to the PRO Act – that would have stripped employees of the right to secret ballots in union representation elections and allowed arbitrators to set contract terms regardless of the consequence to workers or businesses.
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Washington, D.C. – The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), composed of more than 600 major business organizations, representing millions of businesses employing tens of millions of workers nationwide, released the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) vetoing Assembly Bill (AB) 616, which would have allowed agricultural employees to elect a labor representative through a ballot card election. Business leaders said that the card check provisions in AB 616 are similar to the provision in the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would potentially eliminate secret ballot union elections in favor of card check elections.
The following statement is attributable to CDW Chair Kristen Swearingen:
“The fact that Governor Gavin Newson, the most liberal governor of the most liberal state in America, opposes card check union elections should show just how dangerous and misguided the PRO Act is.
“By eliminating secret ballot union elections in favor of card check, the PRO Act takes away workers’ right to privacy by forcing them to cast their ballots in union elections in the presence of other workers and union organizers, opening them up to harassment and intimidation.
“While businesses and workers across the country are slowly getting back on their feet after the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, rewriting our nation’s labor laws in a way that even the governor of California thought was too extreme would cause irreparable harm to our country’s economic efforts and threatens to derail its recovery.
“We applaud Governor Newsom for standing up for California workers by rejecting anti-worker card check union elections and urge Congress to do the same by opposing the PRO Act.”
Click here for more information on the negative impacts of the PRO Act.
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About The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
CDW is a broad-based coalition of hundreds of organizations representing hundreds of thousands of employers and millions of employees in various industries across the country concerned with a long-standing effort by some in the labor movement to make radical changes to the National Labor Relations Act without regard to the severely negative impact they would have on employees, employers, and the economy. CDW was originally formed in 2005 in opposition to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) – a bill similar to the PRO Act – that would have stripped employees of the right to secret ballots in union representation elections and allowed arbitrators to set contract terms regardless of the consequence to workers or businesses.
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Washington, D.C. – The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), composed of more than 600 major business organizations, released the following statement in response to the draft budget reconciliation bill from the House Education and Labor Committee, which includes provisions from the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, including excessive penalties, unnecessary restrictions negatively impacting opportunities for gig workers and limiting employer free speech, and $5 million aimed at replacing secret ballot in union representation elections with phone-based voting— which would expose employees to union intimidation.
The following statement is attributable to CDW Chair Kristen Swearingen:
“With their anti-worker PRO Act stalled, Big Labor lobbyists and their allies in Congress have jammed their radical policies into the budget reconciliation bill.
“Bottomline, these changes in the reconciliation bill have nothing to do with the budget and are intended to force unions on workers by taking away opportunities to work in the gig economy, limit employees from hearing facts about unions and how union spend or misspend employees dues, and intimidate small business owners to force them to yield to union demands. The inclusion of these measures will hurt small businesses and infringe on the rights of workers.
“While businesses and workers across the country are slowly getting back on their feet after the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, rewriting our nation’s labor laws solely to benefit Big Labor bosses would cause irreparable harm to our country’s economic efforts and threatens to derail its recovery.
“We strongly urge Members of Congress to reject these provisions in the budget reconciliation bill, which is intended to fund government programs, not advance Big Labor’s radical agenda that will only hurt small businesses and workers.”
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About The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
CDW is a broad-based coalition of hundreds of organizations representing hundreds of thousands of employers and millions of employees in various industries across the country concerned with a long-standing effort by some in the labor movement to make radical changes to the National Labor Relations Act without regard to the severely negative impact they would have on employees, employers, and the economy. CDW was originally formed in 2005 in opposition to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) – a bill similar to the PRO Act – that would have stripped employees of the right to secret ballots in union representation elections and allowed arbitrators to set contract terms regardless of the consequence to workers or businesses.
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Washington, D.C. – A new research study by the American Action Forum (AAF), led by former Director of the Congressional Budget Office Douglas Holtz-Eaki, shows that the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act would cause significant economic impact for the 27 states currently with right-to-work laws by eliminating those state-enacted laws, forcing reclassification or layoffs of independent contractors and broadening the joint-employer standard.
The report also found that right-to-work states would see their competitive advantage in recruiting businesses eliminated. The 27 states with right-to-work (RTW) protections have nearly a double digit advantage over non-RTW states in recruiting businesses and large employers to their states.
Key findings from the report:
Kristen Swearingen, Chair of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), composed of more than 600 major business and industry groups representing millions of businesses that employ tens of millions of workers nationwide, said the report illustrates the economic upheaval the PRO Act would have on states with right-to-work protections and small and local businesses if passed into law:
“This report shows the crushing economic impact the PRO Act would have on states with right-to-work laws, which have given them a competitive advantage in attracting small businesses, good paying jobs and emerging industries,” stated Swearingen. “Any member of Congress representing a right-to-work state should take a serious pause in supporting the PRO Act as their vote could literally put tens of thousands of their constituents out of work and force thousands of small businesses in their states to close their doors permanently.”
Swearingen went on to say the analysis only scratches the surface in terms of realizing the PRO Act’s full economic and social impact.
“The report doesn’t take into account other social and economic impacts of the PRO Act – from the microeconomic impacts on parents who may work from home as an independent contractor but would have to find a job away from their family and incur new expenses like daycare, travel costs and others to the macroeconomic impacts on state and local economies who will lose their advantage in attracting new businesses and jobs that spur economic growth in their state.”
Click here for more information on the negative impacts of the PRO Act.
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About The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
CDW is a broad-based coalition of hundreds of organizations representing hundreds of thousands of employers and millions of employees in various industries across the country concerned with a long-standing effort by some in the labor movement to make radical changes to the National Labor Relations Act without regard to the severely negative impact they would have on employees, employers, and the economy. CDW was originally formed in 2005 in opposition to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) – a bill similar to the PRO Act – that would have stripped employees of the right to secret ballots in union representation elections and allowed arbitrators to set contract terms regardless of the consequence to workers or businesses.
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Washington, D.C. – The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), composed of more than 600 major business organizations representing millions of businesses employing tens of millions of workers nationwide, released the following statement leading up to this week’s public hearing by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) on the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
The following statement is attributable to CDW Chair Kristen Swearingen:
“Today’s hearing exposed the PRO Act for what it is – a power grab by Big Labor bosses to re-write our nation’s labor laws with the sole purpose of boosting the number of dues paying members at the expense of workers, Main Street consumers, entrepreneurs, and small and local businesses.
“And just like the PRO Act does for labor laws, this hearing stacked the deck in unions’ favor. The three witnesses chosen by Democrats to testify were all radical mouthpieces for union lobbyists, with no witnesses representing the majority of Americans who reject forced unionization and only one witness representing the small business community. This hearing did not allow an accurate or fair representation of how the PRO Act will impact millions of Americans.
“Recent studies have shown that the PRO Act would strip right-to-work protections away from 61 million Americans, potentially forcing them to pay up to $1,000 or more per year in union dues or lose their job. A recent survey found that 70 percent of U.S. voters are concerned about the PRO Act abolishing state right-to-work protections. By removing right-to-work protections for millions of American workers, the PRO Act would strip away their choice on whether or not to join a union.
“The PRO Act would also force employers to hand over the personal information of employees to labor organizers, without the consent of workers. With unfettered access to employees, labor organizers would have the ability to harass and bully workers into joining a union. They could show up at their home, spam them on email and even bully them on social media.
“From restricting independent contracting jobs with its implementation of an ‘ABC test’ to upending the franchising industry by expanding the joint-employer standard, the PRO Act’s drastic restructuring of the nation’s labor laws and resulting economic upheaval would cost millions of Americans their jobs and threaten vital supply chains, which would greatly diminish opportunities for workers and cause small and local businesses to close their doors forever.
“Businesses and workers across the country are slowly getting back on their feet after the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rewriting our nation’s labor laws solely to benefit Big Labor bosses would cause irreparable harm to our country’s economic efforts and threaten to derail our recovery.
“As the Senate HELP committee continues to consider the PRO Act, we call on Members of Congress to reject this ill-conceived, anti-worker, job killing legislation.”
Click here for more information on the negative impacts of the PRO Act.
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About The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
CDW is a broad-based coalition of hundreds of organizations representing hundreds of thousands of employers and millions of employees in various industries across the country concerned with a long-standing effort by some in the labor movement to make radical changes to the National Labor Relations Act without regard to the severely negative impact they would have on employees, employers, and the economy. CDW was originally formed in 2005 in opposition to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) – a bill similar to the PRO Act – that would have stripped employees of the right to secret ballots in union representation elections and allowed arbitrators to set contract terms regardless of the consequence to workers or businesses.
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Washington, D.C. – The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), composed of hundreds of organizations representing millions of businesses that employ tens of millions of workers nationwide in nearly every industry, released the following statement today in response to the witnesses for the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions’ (HELP) hearing on the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act being listed.
The following statement is attributable to CDW Chair Kristen Swearingen:
“Similar to the PRO Act itself, this week’s hearing stacks the deck in favor of union bosses at the expense of small and local businesses.
“The three witnesses chosen by Democrats to testify are all outside-the-mainstream mouthpieces for union lobbyists. Mark Gaston Pearce has been called a ‘forced-unionism extremist’ and, during his time at the NLRB, pushed policies attacking small businesses and free speech. Dr. Heidi Shierholz is employed by an organization that is funded and led by the largest unions in the country, including the AFL-CIO, UAW, SEIU, IAM, NEA, AFSCME, CWA and AFT. She has also advocated to limit opportunities for independent contractors, for an expanded joint-employer standard and against right-to-work laws. Gracie Heldman is a longtime union organizer and has worked with national organizations such as the Farm Labor Organizing Committee.
“It’s a shame that those most affected by the PRO Act will barely be heard at this hearing. With no witnesses representing the majority of Americans who reject forced unionization and one witness representing the small business community, this hearing does not allow an accurate or fair representation of how this deeply flawed legislation will impact millions of Americans.
“We call on the Senate HELP committee to reschedule this hearing to allow more witnesses from the small business community to testify in order to allow for a more fair and balanced discussion of the PRO Act.
“The PRO Act drastically restructures our nation’s labor laws in favor of unions at the expense of workers, small and local businesses, Main Street consumers and entrepreneurs. It takes away workers’ essential rights and opens them up to intimidation and harassment from union organizers. The PRO Act restricts the use of independent contractors, which will cause small and local businesses to close their doors forever. It expands the joint-employer standard, which would upend the franchise industry, killing millions of jobs. Given the significant and devastating impact this bill will have on small businesses across the country, you would think Congress would want to hear how they would be affected.”
Click here for more information on the negative impacts of the PRO Act.
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About The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
CDW is a broad-based coalition of hundreds of organizations representing hundreds of thousands of employers and millions of employees in various industries across the country concerned with a long-standing effort by some in the labor movement to make radical changes to the National Labor Relations Act without regard to the severely negative impact they would have on employees, employers, and the economy. CDW was originally formed in 2005 in opposition to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) – a bill similar to the PRO Act – that would have stripped employees of the right to secret ballots in union representation elections and allowed arbitrators to set contract terms regardless of the consequence to workers or businesses.
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Washington, D.C. – The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), composed of more than 600 major business organizations representing millions of businesses employing tens of millions of workers nationwide, released the following statement today ahead of the nomination hearings this week of former union officials, David Prouty and Gwynne Wilcox, to become members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB):
The following statement is attributable to CDW Chair Kristen Swearingen:
“David Prouty and Gwynne Wilcox, having represented some of the largest unions and their campaigns for almost the entirety of their careers, would have glaring conflicts of interest if confirmed as members of the NLRB.
“Based on their past union employment and activities, David Prouty and Gwynne Wilcox may not be able to fairly adjudicate cases and may have predetermined notions on policy outcomes prior to analyzing the case or circumstances in question.
“If confirmed, both Wilcox and Prouty will face conflicts of interest based on their previous employment histories, the organizations they have represented, and the litigation and issues they have previously supported. They cannot and will not serve as neutral arbiters of the law.
“Due to the NLRB’s back and forth over its recusal policies, these nominees will create additional uncertainty for the Board and all stakeholders under their jurisdiction.
“We strongly urge Congress to reject Prouty and Wilcox’s nominations for the sake of our country’s small businesses and workers.”
Click here for more information on the negative impacts of the PRO Act.
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About The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
CDW is a broad-based coalition of hundreds of organizations representing hundreds of thousands of employers and millions of employees in various industries across the country concerned with a long-standing effort by some in the labor movement to make radical changes to the National Labor Relations Act without regard to the severely negative impact they would have on employees, employers, and the economy. CDW was originally formed in 2005 in opposition to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) – a bill similar to the PRO Act – that would have stripped employees of the right to secret ballots in union representation elections and allowed arbitrators to set contract terms regardless of the consequence to workers or businesses.
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Washington, D.C. – The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), representing more than 600 major business organizations, released the following statement today in response to the Biden administration’s executive order on promoting competition in the American economy while continuing to push the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
The following statement is attributable to CDW Chair Kristen Swearingen:
“Today’s executive order claims to take on monopolies, increase worker economic mobility and help small businesses compete against larger companies, but it is completely at odds with the administration’s push to limit opportunities for workers and small businesses by supporting the PRO Act, which would force American workers to pay union dues against their will or lose their job, allow unions to attack companies for anti-competitive reasons, and eliminate contracting and franchising opportunities for small companies.
“The administration claims to be pro-worker choice and small business in this executive order but at the same time backs the PRO Act, which tips the scales in favor of large, unionized companies against small companies and consolidates union power and influence over the labor market. Whether its public sector teachers’ unions or private sector unions in protected industries, unions have fought against competition that could support consumer choice, employee choice and opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
“Additionally, the PRO Act’s drastic restructuring of the nation’s labor laws and resulting economic upheaval would cost millions of American jobs and threaten vital supply chains, which would greatly diminish opportunities for workers.
“Businesses and workers across the country are slowly getting back on their feet after facing a financial crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but rewriting our nation’s labor laws solely to benefit Big Labor bosses would cause irreparable harm to our country’s economic recovery efforts.”
Click here for more information on the negative impacts of the PRO Act.
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About The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
CDW is a broad-based coalition of hundreds of organizations representing hundreds of thousands of employers and millions of employees in various industries across the country concerned with a long-standing effort by some in the labor movement to make radical changes to the National Labor Relations Act without regard to the severely negative impact they would have on employees, employers, and the economy. CDW was originally formed in 2005 in opposition to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) – a bill similar to the PRO Act – that would have stripped employees of the right to secret ballots in union representation elections and allowed arbitrators to set contract terms regardless of the consequence to workers or businesses.
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Washington, D.C. – A new national survey shows U.S. voters have serious concerns regarding the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and the impact the federal legislation would have on workers’ rights and small businesses if enacted by Congress.
According to the survey, voters are most concerned that the PRO Act, which would drastically rewrite labor regulations in the U.S. and repeal right-to-work laws in 27 states, would force employees to join a union and pay dues to retain their job, require employers to turn over employees’ personal information to union organizers, negatively impact small businesses and put independent contractors out of work.
Key findings:
Kristen Swearingen, Chair of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), representing more than 600 major business and industry groups, said the survey illustrates what its members have been hearing across the country:
“Despite our nation’s fragile economic recovery, lawmakers in Washington are pushing the PRO Act, which would force businesses across the country to permanently close and lay off countless workers,” stated Swearingen.
Swearingen continued, “Voters across the country are clearly concerned about the PRO Act’s negative impact on workers and small businesses. From taking away independent contracting jobs from moms working at home to stripping vital privacy protections from all Americans to forcing workers to pay union dues as a condition of employment, the PRO Act would radically change our country’s labor laws and lead to a significant regression in our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The national survey of 1,006 registered voters was conducted by Forbes Tate Partners, a bipartisan government affairs and research firm, from May 25 through June 2, 2021.
Click here for more information on the negative impacts of the PRO Act.
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About The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
CDW is a broad-based coalition of hundreds of organizations representing hundreds of thousands of employers and millions of employees in various industries across the country concerned with a long-standing effort by some in the labor movement to make radical changes to the National Labor Relations Act without regard to the severely negative impact they would have on employees, employers, and the economy. CDW was originally formed in 2005 in opposition to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) – a bill similar to the PRO Act – that would have stripped employees of the right to secret ballots in union representation elections and allowed arbitrators to set contract terms regardless of the consequence to workers or businesses.
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Washington, D.C. – The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW), composed of hundreds of organizations representing millions of businesses that employ tens of millions of workers nationwide in nearly every industry, released the following statement today in response to the nomination of David Prouty to serve as a member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the continued union push for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
The following statement is attributable to CDW Chair Kristen Swearingen:
“Having worked for the most powerful unions for almost the entirety of his career, we can expect David Prouty will be a rubber stamp for the agenda of Big Labor bosses to the detriment of small businesses and workers’ rights.
“This is yet another example of union officials infiltrating this administration to give their former bosses special treatment. Allowing a former union official on the NLRB to regulate unions would clear the way for them to escape any credible scrutiny or oversight. It also allows unions and their lackeys to push through the radical policies of the PRO Act through the NLRB, including their ultimate goal of forcing every American to join a union and pay dues or lose their job.
“With Prouty on the NLRB and other former union officials in the White House pushing a drastic restructuring of the nation’s labor laws via the PRO Act, the economic upheaval will cost millions of American jobs, threaten vital supply chains, and greatly diminish opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses struggling to survive.
“We strongly urge Congress to reject Prouty’s nomination for the sake of our country’s small businesses and workers.”
Click here for more information on the negative impacts of the PRO Act.
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About The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
CDW is a broad-based coalition of hundreds of organizations representing hundreds of thousands of employers and millions of employees in various industries across the country concerned with a long-standing effort by some in the labor movement to make radical changes to the National Labor Relations Act without regard to the severely negative impact they would have on employees, employers, and the economy. CDW was originally formed in 2005 in opposition to the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) – a bill similar to the PRO Act – that would have stripped employees of the right to secret ballots in union representation elections and allowed arbitrators to set contract terms regardless of the consequence to workers or businesses.
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