Posts tagged PRO Act
Committee on the Education and Workforce Grapples with Unions and Lawmakers Being Out of Touch
September 29, 2026 // Chougule also pointed to the lack of support by unions and certain representatives on the Employment and the Workforce Committee, for the Employee Rights Act. The Act would require unions to obtain opt-in permission from a member before using his or her dues and fees on political activity or policy advocacy—a provision which enjoys 81% support from union households.
Reed Larson built a movement for the long fight
September 24, 2026 // As union membership continues a decadeslong decline, nearing historic lows, union officials are spending billions on politics every election cycle. Traditionally, Democrats have been the main recipients of union political funding. However, major unions, notably the Teamsters, have begun to turn toward populist Republicans to advance their legislative agenda. Teamsters head Sean O’Brien has taken up with Republicans such as Sen. Josh Hawley (MO), who, along with union-label Democrats, introduced the Teamsters-endorsed FLCA into the Senate.
Commentary: Are Unions Rising from the Political Grave?
September 21, 2026 // Here again, however, there may be less than meets the eye. Despite its surprising bipartisan support, the FLCA would raise significant constitutional questions if enacted. By relying on a government-mandated arbitration panel to resolve labor disputes, the law effectively empowers the state to impose contractual terms on private parties—a form of what constitutional lawyers call “state action.” As attorneys Alex MacDonald and Vinnie Vernuccio observe: “[S]tate action opens the door to a slew of constitutional requirements and restrictions, notably to protect rights of free speech and association.”
NLRB official says Stanford residential advisers can unionize
September 16, 2026 // A National Labor Relations Board official has ruled that student residential advisers at Stanford University are the school's employees and can vote on whether to join a union, teeing up review by the board on the novel issue. Regional Director Christy Kwon in Oakland said in the decision, opens new tab released on Saturday that more than 430 "residential student leaders" perform services under the control of Stanford for which they are compensated, making them employees under federal labor law.
Union endorsements cross party lines in Mont. federal races
September 8, 2026 // Democratic candidate Sam Forstag and Republican Aaron Flint — both competing for the 1st Congressional District — signaled they support collective bargaining rights for public and private workers. This position is similar to Montana U.S. Senate candidates independent Seth Bodnar, Democratic candidate Alani Bankhead and Republican Kurt Alme. Forstag, Flint, Bodnar and Alme have union endorsements.
Labor Day: Americans Flee Forced-Unionism States and Move to Right-to-Work States
September 6, 2026 // Among the top ten growth states in the U-Haul index, nine have a Right-to-Work law that protects workers from being forced to pay dues to union bosses as a condition of employment. -Among the bottom ten states in the U-Haul index, NONE has a Right-to-Work law. All are forced unionism states. -Of the 25 top ranked cities in the U-Haul Growth Index, 24 are located in Right-to-Work states.
Union bosses remain hostile to MAGA
September 3, 2026 // Today, unions are banking on garnering enough Republican support to pass an anti-business Faster Labor Contracts Act. That legislation would strip workers of their right to vote on the terms and conditions of their employment if an agreement can’t be locked down over a few months. The legislation gives government bureaucrats the power to force workers and employers into union contracts while further expanding the size and power of the federal government. The legislation could also force workers and employers to adopt DEI programs, block immigration enforcement, and impose transgender policies. Given the long history of union leadership opposing Republican candidates and the Trump Agenda, it makes zero sense for Republicans to support legislation that would give even more power and money to union bosses.
Op-ed: Faster Labor Contracts Act is bad for workers, good for union bosses
August 6, 2026 // Under current law, when workers vote to form a union, the employer and union negotiate a first contract through free collective bargaining. The FLCA inserts unrealistic Washington timelines and bureaucracy into this process. The bill passed the House after seven Republicans signed a discharge petition to bypass the Speaker and committee review to force a floor vote, all with no committee hearing, no CBO score, and no expert testimony. The bill is now before the Senate.
The Faster Labor Contracts Act: What You Need to Know
July 31, 2026 // While the FLCA may accelerate the negotiation process for both the employer and the union to reach an initial contract, faster does not always mean better, and the binding arbitration provision sidelines the interests of both parties and leaves the decisions about worker pay, benefits, and working conditions in the hands of arbitrators acting under the auspices of the federal government. The arbitrary timelines under the FLCA, while making the negotiation process move faster, may not give sufficient time for both parties to reach an initial contract that best represents the interests of both sides, given all the facts and circumstances of the working arrangement.
Op-ed: To High Praise and Hallelujahs, Trump Nominates Keith Sonderling for Secretary of Labor
June 30, 2026 // As Acting Secretary, Sonderling has strongly advocated for Trump's pro-business and pro-worker agenda, touting the manufacturing jobs that have been returned to the U.S., and has worked tirelessly to beef up and expand apprenticeships through the U.S. Department of Labor for small businesses and private-sector concerns. Under Biden's DOL, apprenticeships were issued through the major labor unions like the AFL-CIO and SEIU, effectively cutting out any private sector opportunities. Sonderling has also long been a champion for defined benefit pension plan sponsors to be able to use group annuities to protect pension benefits through pension risk transfers, and to allow employers to incorporate retirement plan options like cryptocurrency assets and private credit funds. But most pivotal, Sonderling is working hand-in-hand with the Fraud Task Force to eradicate the rampant unemployment insurance fraud.