Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) voted in favor of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or the PRO Act, legislation that protects workers’ basic right to organize and negotiate for high pay, better benefits, and safer working conditions.

“Last week, I welcomed a Congressional delegation to Alabama’s 7th Congressional District to stand in solidarity with Amazon workers in Bessemer as they fight for the right to unionize. I am proud today to vote in favor of the PRO Act to protect and expand the rights of these employees as they continue their election process,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “This legislation will put in place stronger remedies to combat employer interference in the workplace, and will streamline the NLRB election process for all American workers.” 

Among its many provisions, the PRO Act will:

Empower Workers to Exercise their Right to Organize 

• Streamline access to justice for workers who suffer retaliation for exercising their rights. 
• Give workers the power to override so-called “right-to-work” laws that prevent unions from collecting dues from the workers they represent. 
• Enhance workers’ right to support boycotts, strikes, or other acts of solidarity. 
• Authorize a private right of action for violations of workers’ rights. 

Hold Employers Accountable for Violating Workers’ Rights 

• Authorize meaningful penalties for companies and executives that violate workers’ rights. 
• Close loopholes that corporations use to erode workers’ rights. 
• Require employers to be transparent with their workers. 

Secure Free, Fair, and Safe Union Elections 

• Prevent employers from interfering in union elections. 
• Allow workers to hold union elections in a safe environment. 
• Facilitate initial collective bargaining agreements. 

A fact sheet on the PRO Act can be found here.