Congress Must Pass PRO Act Quickly to Spur Economic Recovery, Make American Dream Reality for Workers

Bringing our nation’s labor laws into 21st century is a long overdue step to grow wages, spur economic growth, and respect worker rights

(February 4, 2021, MILWAUKEE, WI) – Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, released the following statement as the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act is introduced today in the U.S. House and Senate:

“America can build back better with unions by ensuring the passage of the PRO Act. Our woefully outdated labor laws no longer serve as an effective means for working people to have our voices heard and our rights realized. As a result, income inequality has skyrocketed and too many workers lost jobs or faced unsafe working conditions during the pandemic.

Workers are embracing collective action with a dedication not seen in generations. Research tells us that nearly half of all nonunion workers would join a union if given the chance. Yet the system is stacked against a worker ever signing a first union contract. Companies spend millions to break or skirt labor law and face such low consequences that illegal anti-union tactics are commonplace. 

A union contract is the single best tool we have to close racial and gender wage gaps, raise wages to build a strong middle class, and ensure dignity and due process for workers, regardless of where we were born, who we are or what industry we work in. The passage of the PRO Act would help bring the American Dream within reach for millions of workers and spur economic growth for all.

The PRO Act is the most significant worker empowerment legislation since the Great Depression. We thank Senator Tammy Baldwin, Representative Gwen Moore, Representative Mark Pocan, and Representative Ron Kind for co-sponsoring the PRO Act and call on the entire Wisconsin congressional delegation to support this vital legislation. It’s time for bold action for America’s working people. It’s time for the PRO Act.”