House Bill To Undo State-Level 'Right To Work' Laws Is a Preview of Democrats' Post-2020 Priorities.

Reason ^ | February 3, 2020 | Eric Boehm

[karpov]

...

Democrats are expected to pass a package of labor union-backed policies through the House even though the chances that the Senate will consider the bill are roughly nil.

The Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act) would insert new language into the National Labor Relations Act to compel the payment of union dues even by non-members working in unionized professions. That means the passage of the PRO Act would effectively undo so-called "right to work" laws on the books in many states.*

The PRO Act would also implement a veritable grab bag of policies that labor unions have been pushing Congress to pass for years. The bill would force employers to turn over employees' private information—including cell phone numbers, email addresses, and work schedules—to union organizers. It would accelerate the National Labor Relation Board's official timetable for union organizing elections in non-union workplaces. And it would codify so-called "card check" elections, removing the protection of the secret ballot when a workplace votes to unionize.

All three policies are meant to tip the scales towards unions and against employers.

Unions are looking for help from Congress because membership continues to fall. According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, only 10.3 percent of American workers are unionized—a drop of 0.2 percentage points since this time last year. While 33 percent of public-sector workers are unionized, only 6.2 percent of private-sector workers are members of a union.

"This failure to bolster union membership, even with the favorable rules promulgated by federal agencies, has strengthened organized labor's resolve that the only solution is to push for legislation like the PRO Act," says Trey Kovaks, a policy analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a free market think tank that opposes the PRO Act.

[central_va]

Yesterday's war: According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, only 10.3 percent of American workers are unionized—a drop of 0.2 percentage points since this time last year. While 33 percent of public-sector workers are unionized, only 6.2 percent of private-sector workers are members of a union.

Unions are non factor. American labor and workers are NOT OUR ENEMY.

[wastedyears]

They were never intended to have that authority. The federal government was formed to protect the states from invasion, not act as the One Ring to rule them all.

Preciousssssss

[McCarthysGhost]

This is to attempt to peel away Trump union voters. I don’t think it will work. For one, keeping the jobs here is 90% of the battle for blue collar workers. That’s MAGA.

[existentially_kuffer]

I bet its bipartisan too./sarc

[SueRae]

Perfectly stated.

[eyeamok]

Now would be a Good Time to rescind JFK’s Executive Order allowing Government Unions.

[Buckeye McFrog]

If they get both chambers + POTUS they’ll pass Card Check and mass organizing will be underway in every workplace in America. Bank on it.

[T Ruth]

American labor and workers are NOT OUR ENEMY.

This is true. But unions are.

After the election, if Republicans regain the House, they should repeal the National Labor Relations Act; and the President should revoke the Executive Order that created unions for federal government employees.

[Socon-Econ]

The corporate beneficiaries of these laws need to shake-off their complacency.

[MarkL]

Yup! Even FDR opposed government unions!

Mark

[I want the USA back]

Democrat Dogmas:
Abortion at any time. Muzzies given the right to rape and murder non-muzzies. Sanctuary cities guaranteed freedom from prosecution.

[DoodleDawg]

Actually it’s a pre-2020 election priority. Aimed at the voters in Michigan.