Rep. Norcross’s Statement on Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) today, with congressional leaders, labor leaders, and workers, unveiled the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act (H.R. 20). Congressman Norcross, a co-founder of the Congressional Labor Caucus, is a union electrician by trade, a former union organizer, and was president of an AFL-CIO regional labor council for nearly two decades.

“I knew Rich Trumka for decades and I can think of no better person to name this critical piece of legislation after,” said Congressman Norcross. “I first met Rich back in the 80s at a union hall in Cherry Hill, where he was collecting donations to support striking coal miners. At its core, the PRO Act carries Rich’s legacy forward by promoting worker solidarity, giving hardworking women and men a voice in their workplace, and holding accountable corporate bosses who violate workers’ rights. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in Congress and the labor movement to announce the introduction of the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act.”

The PRO Act strengthens protections for workers’ right to organize a union and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. As wage inequality continues to leave workers and middle-class families behind, this legislation would empower millions of Americans to stand together and ensure hardworking people are getting their fair share of economic growth.

Also at the press conference were House Education and the Workforce Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and Kriste Civick, a member of Communication Workers of America and an Apple Store employee.

The PRO Act protects the basic right to join a union by:

1. Holding employers accountable for violating workers’ rights by authorizing meaningful penalties, facilitating initial collective bargaining agreements, and closing loopholes that allow employers to misclassify their employees as supervisors and independent contractors.
2. Empowering workers to exercise their right to organize by strengthening support for workers who suffer retaliation for exercising their rights, protecting workers’ right to support secondary boycotts, ensuring workers can collect “fair share” fees, and authorizing a private right of action for violation of workers’ rights.
3. Securing free, fair, and safe union elections by preventing employers from interfering in union elections, prohibiting captive audience meetings, and requiring employers to be transparent with their workers.

For the bill text of the PRO Act, click here.

For a fact sheet on the PRO Act, click here.

For a section-by-section summary of the PRO Act, click here.

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