Newman backs legislation aimed at strengthening unions

U.S. Rep. Marie Newman backed legislation aimed at strengthening unions and protections for workers.

Newman voted to help pass the Protecting the Right to Organize, or PRO, Act, which proponents claim is landmark legislation to help “rebuild” the middle class, according to a news release.

The PRO Act includes enhanced protections for workers under the National Labor Relations Act to make it easier for them to organize a union. It also includes protections for workers who want to support boycotts or strikes, and allows workers to seek legal action if an employer interferes with or violates their rights.

“For far too long, the rights of millions of American workers have been undermined and attacked in this country,” Newman said in the release. “American workers, many of whom have been on the frontlines of this pandemic since day one, continue to be forced to work with lousy benefits, in unsafe conditions, and for insufficient pay because they don’t have the ability to organize for stronger rights.”

The congresswoman added that supporting union workers is key to rebuilding the American economy.

The bill also includes an amendment, proposed by Newman, which would require that all notices informing workers of their rights to organize to be posted in languages spoken by the employees.

“With the passage of the PRO Act, we are ensuring every worker will not only know their rights but have every tool at their disposal to organize together for fair wages and safe working conditions,” she said in the release.