AFP Applauds Introduction of Revamped Employee Rights Act
ARLINGTON, Va. – Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) introduced the Employee Rights Act, a package of measures that would empower American employees to have a greater say over how their hard-earned pay can be used by unions for political activity, among other significant reforms.
AFP Chief Government Affairs Officer Brent Gardner issued the following statement:
“The Employee Rights Act would give workers the rights they deserve but have long been denied. Workers need the safeguards in this bill to ensure they have a real say in their union representation. Particularly important is the provision requiring unions to get permission from each member before using that member’s dues for anything other than collective bargaining. This bill helps protect the voices of all union-represented employees, and we believe Congress should work quickly to get it to President Trump’s desk.”
AFP has been a strong advocate of previous iterations of the Employee Rights Act.
Among other things, the legislation would accomplish the following if enacted:
- Require a majority of all potential members, not just those who cast ballots, to unionize.
- Guarantee all employees a right to a secret ballot election.
- Require unions to get permission from each union member before they can use that member’s dues for any activity other than collective bargaining.
- Safeguard worker privacy by granting individuals the ability to opt out sharing their personal information with a union during an organizing campaign.
- Ensure the right to a secret ballot vote among all union members before declaring a strike.
Polling on the Employee Rights Act shows overwhelming support from both union and non-union households.
For further information or to set up an interview, please send an email to GBraud@afphq.org.
Through broad-based grassroots outreach, Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is driving long-term solutions to the country’s biggest problems. AFP activists engage friends and neighbors on key issues and encourage them to take an active role in building a culture of mutual benefit, where people succeed by helping one another. AFP recruits and unites activists in 35 states behind a common goal of advancing policies that will help people improve their lives. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
###
