Why AGC Opposed the PRO Act Under House's Consideration
Ostensible Union Organizing Measure Will Undermine Worker Privacy, Hurt their Ability to Earn a Living and Unleash a New Wave of Labor Unrest that Will Undermine the Economic Recovery
As Congress begins debating the PRO Act later this week in the House of Representatives, it is important to understand that the measure fundamentally changes dozens of long-established labor laws that would create conditions where unions hold virtually all the leverage in collective bargaining and unionizing efforts. At the same time, the measure would force employers to divulge private information about their employees, denies workers the absolute right to a secret ballot and makes it virtually impossible for entrepreneurs to start their own small, independent businesses.
By removing reasonable limitations on many types of labor actions, the PRO Act could force a halt to construction work on countless construction projects around the country, even if the firms are not involved in a dispute, organizing drive or any other type of negotiation with the picketing union. The measure is also particularly harmful to union contractors, as documented in this white paper, including by undermining the established collective bargaining process.