Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R.842, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This is a tremendous moment in the struggle for working people’s rights on the job, and it was delivered by a broad coalition that transcends any one issue, party or ideology. The Oregon AFL-CIO and our allies are proud to see this bill pass the House a second time, and we appreciate the members of Oregon’s House delegation who stood with workers and voted yes.
Oregon’s own Representative Suzanne Bonamici played an important role in getting this bill to where it is today:
"Working Oregonians and the Oregon Labor Movement applaud the Congresswoman's steadfast commitment to unrigging the rules of the economy and making it easier for more workers to experience the transformational power of joining together in a union with her vote today,” said Graham Trainor, President, Oregon AFL-CIO. “From her time as a state legislator helping to pass the nation's first ban on the abusive captive audience meetings we see used by employers during organizing campaigns, and like the ones Amazon workers are facing today in Bessemer, Alabama, to her leadership role on the PRO Act in the House Committee on Education and Labor, Congresswoman Bonamici has understood throughout her career in public service the value that unions play in the economy, in dismantling gender and racial inequities in the workplace, and Labor's role in rebuilding from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.”
In Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, a seat held by Democratic Congressman Kurt Schrader, Oregon’s unions mobilized workers to contact Rep. Schrader to both push him to vote yes on the PRO Act and to hold him accountable for recent votes against COVID-19 relief, increasing the $7.25 federal minimum wage, and voting against the HEROES Act.
Rep. Schrader notoriously voted against the PRO Act in 2020, but after hearing from constituents he offered a lukewarm statement of support as the Mobilization efforts culminated on International Women’s Day, March 8, where over one hundred union members and workers held actions outside of Rep. Schrader’s distinct offices in Oregon City and Salem.
“We are glad to see Congressman Schrader join the rest of his Democratic Congressional colleagues from Oregon in voting yes after facing considerable pressure from working people in his district,” said President Trainor. “We will remain vigilant to ensure that he continues this support of the PRO Act as it makes its way through Congress, as well as prioritizing the critical relief Oregonians so desperately need in the midst of a deadly pandemic. Accountability for our leaders is a year-round effort and workers deserve consistent champions rather than inside-the-beltway political shenanigans.”
TAKE ACTION
Learn More about the PRO Act Next Friday, March 19 at 2:00pm on Zoom with special guests U.S. Senators Ron Wyden & Jeff Merkley and National AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler! Click here to RSVP.
Click here to contact your Senator - if you’re an Oregonian, thank Senators Wyden and Merkley for their staunch support of the PRO Act and Oregon’s workers. If you’re outside of Oregon and not sure if your Senators support the PRO Act, here’s a quick guide:
NEWS ROUNDUP
Opinion: Working Oregonians deserve leaders who stand with them Portland Tribune
PHOTOS: Union group urges Rep. Kurt Schrader's support of PRO Act Statesman Journal