Does government have the right to tell Americans how they should work, with whom they can do business, and what their hours ought to be?
Some lawmakers believe so. On Tuesday the House passed the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, or the PRO Act, a bill that would place additional government roadblocks between Americans and their ability to earn a living.
The PRO Act would, among other things:
The PRO Act includes a provision similar to legislation California passed in late 2019, Assembly Bill 5, which was promoted as a measure to protect independent contractors by reclassifying them as employees. It didn’t work.
AB 5 led to layoffs of countless workers before the holidays. It continues to inflict a massive toll on the state’s independent contractors, even with subsequent carveouts and exemptions for industries hit hardest.
The PRO Act would produce a similar result nationwide. The bill’s ABC test — a tool the National Labor Relations Board would use to determine which independent contractors would be reclassified — would force most of these workers out of their flexible arrangements, even if they could not support a traditional employment schedule.
The PRO Act would hurt independent contractors and the businesses that rely on them. The Senate should reject this bill.
Tell lawmakers to reject the PRO Act and other unfair restrictions on independent contracting. And join the Flex Your Independence campaign to celebrate and support independent contractors and protect these workers from harmful regulation.
© 2024 AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. | PRIVACY POLICY
Receive email alerts to learn how to get involved