Wisconsin union members gathered for a rally hosted by the Communications Workers of America to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Working people gathered outside Senator Ron Johnson’s downtown office in Milwaukee to urge the Senator to support workers and good jobs by supporting and passing the PRO Act in the Senate. Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Mandela Barnes, Sara Godlewski, and Alex Lasry joined the rally to show their support for working people and the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. State Assembly Representative Christine Sinicki, Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale, CWA Staff Representative Clinton Rodgers and workers Justin Otto and Troy Brewer addressed the rally.
The Protecting the Right to Organize Act would update labor law to better meet the needs of working people organizing unions in their workplace. The PRO Act would increase penalties for violations of workers’ rights, strengthen support for workers who suffer retaliation when forming a union, prohibit employers from interfering in union elections and require dispute resolution to improve the ability of workers to negotiate a first contract. Notably, the PRO Act would prohibit employers from forcing employees to attend “captive audience” meetings and require employers to report payments to shady, union-busting firms.
Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale fired up the rally:
“Here we are out front of Ron Johnson’s office -- can he hear us?” asked Bloomingdale. “We want to pass the PRO Act now. Let’s pass the PRO Act because workers in America need a fair shot at having a union. The best way to have a good life in America is to have a union card. And the PRO Act is essential for us to have a better life in America. Without strong unions, working people don’t have a chance.”
Clinton Rodgers, Staff Representative at CWA kicked off the rally stating, “there is no shortage of workers. There is a shortage of jobs that allow workers to have enough money to pay our rent and our mortgages. There is a shortage of jobs that allow workers to carry a union card to have a voice in the workplace. We’re letting Ron Johnson know that we are not going to take it anymore. We want good jobs and union rights with the PRO Act.”
Justin Otto, a new union member who recently helped formed a union at the Pabst Theater Group in Milwaukee detailed the common obstacles workers face when forming a union. “We need to pass the PRO Act so all workers who want to democracy in their workplace don’t have to deal with such an undemocratic process in order to form a union.”
Troy Brewer, who works in hospitality at the Fiserv Forum explained that becoming a union member and union leader is one of the best accomplishments of his life and he is ready for the November election. “I am taking it personal that Ron Johnson doesn’t care about the working class or essential workers. I’ve been here outside this office three times without so much as a peep from Ron Johnson or his office. This election is important. Let’s get out the vote and get Ron Johnson out of here.”
The PRO ACT passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support on March 9, 2021. Thankfully, Senator Tammy Baldwin has been a co-sponsor of the PRO Act since day one. America’s workers will continue our full court press until the PRO Act is passed in the Senate.
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