PRO Act unpopular with GOP—control of the House makes opposition stronger
Kayla Gaskins, 23, Kayla Gaskins is the National Correspondent for Sinclair. “Democrats reintroduce pro-union bill on Capitol Hill,” KATV, 2-28-2023, https://katv.com/news/nation-world/democrats-reintroduce-pro-union-bill-on-capitol-hill-protect-the-right-to-organize-act-proact-higher-pay-benefits-union-workers-labor-disputes-wages-worker-rights-small-businesses-democrats-republicans-employers-economy-bill, 7-15-2023)//AAlmand
Congressional Democrats reintroduced the pro-union Protect the Right to Organize Act, known as the PRO Act for short. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, says will build up the middle class and help American workers. So that they can reap the benefits of higher pay, better benefits, and a safer workplace that people who belong to unions enjoy," Scott said. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies, D-N.Y., and Senate Majority Leader , D-N.Y. are backing the effort. Public support for unions hitting a six-decade high. A found 71% of Americans approve of labor unions. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce staunchly saying it would undermine worker rights, ensnare employers in labor disputes, disrupt the economy and force Americans to pay union dues regardless of if they want to. Small business franchise owners like Susan Cornish say the bill will increase operational costs. "Additional responsibilities that I’ll have as an employer already on top of the tightening labor market and the wages that have increased since COVID," Cornish said. Businesses often pass these increases in overhead onto the consumer in the form of higher-priced goods and services. Cornish says the new bill will also cut franchise owners out of labor decisions by allowing unions to negotiate with the corporations directly rather than individual owners. Republicans are against the PRO Act as they did previous versions. With the GOP in control of the House, the bill has a tough path forward. Scott says he believes Democrats can get some colleagues to cross the aisle to support the effort. "If you’re talking about people who are working for a living, need to be able to negotiate for better wages, safer workplaces, better benefits, I think they have workers in their districts too and a lot of people are interested in the legislation," said Scott. Democrats did get a handful of Republicans to vote for of the PRO Act but now that the House is under GOP control, the hurdles are much higher.