Vital Legislation for BAC Members and All Working Families Reintroduced into Congress

On February 28, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act), H.R. 20 was reintroduced into Congress. BAC commends pro-worker leaders on Capitol Hill who are making this vital worker legislation a priority during the 118th Congress, including ranking House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate HELP Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Congressmembers Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

BAC is proud of our partnership with our signatory employers across the United States to provide vital building and construction services to the communities we live in. However, our members, and just as importantly the contractors that hire them, are forced to compete with unscrupulous developers and employers that take advantage of the lack of legal protections for workers in the United States, and minimal enforcement ability for the laws that are in place. These employers intentionally violate the law because penalties are so weak low-road employers simply view them as a minor cost of doing business. The PRO Act strengthens penalties for such behavior to deter employers from interfering with workers’ rights.

The PRO Act also addresses:

+ Misclassification of employees — a practice that runs rampant in the construction industry. Changing the definition of “employee” under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) will significantly pressure employers to stop gaming the system and incorrectly categorize an employee as an “independent contractor” or “supervisor.” The legislation will ensure workers are able to properly exercise their rights and get the pay and benefits they deserve, while putting revenue back into local communities by stopping employer tax evasion.

+ Limitations on secondary picketing and strikes, as well as limitations on recognitional picketing. This will allow union brothers and sisters to exercise their First Amendment right to stand in solidarity with fellow construction workers fighting for their own rights and benefits at the same jobsite.

“Our economy is out of balance, and it is time for Congress to step up to protect working class families, and restore economic stability,” said BAC President Tim Driscoll. “We urge all members of Congress to support the PRO Act and put the US economy back on track for all Americans.”

Scan the QR code to read more about how the PRO Act will benefit BAC members.