U.S. Senator Outlines Proposal Strongly Resembling The PRO Act
On Jan. 10, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced a framework for legislation that strongly resembles the PRO Act. As readers may recall, in the last session of Congress the Metals Service Center Institute and other business trade groups opposed that piece of legislation.
What is in the outline? As experts at Fisher Phillips explained, Sen. Hawley seeks to:
- Cement Ambush Elections Into Law. If signed into law, the proposal would require a union election vote “in less than 20 business days.”
- Force Initial Union Contracts. After workers win a vote to join a union, the initial collective bargaining process can take time. Sen. Hawley’s proposal would require employers to begin negotiating with a labor union within 10 days after workers have voted to join a union and to execute these agreements “within months.”
- Strengthen Penalties For Alleged Violations. Hawley’s bill proposes a system for what he calls “real penalties,” including the possibility of “substantial compensation” and the ability for workers and unions to seek redress in court if the National Labor Relations Board fails to bring suit.
- Resurrect Notice Postings. Hawley’s proposal calls for the return of a requirement that would force employers to post and maintain notices of labor rights in the workplace. The proposal also would require employers to affirmatively notify new employees of these rights when they are hired.
Sen. Hawley’s outline also proposes to update ergonomic standards, prohibit unsafe work speed quotas — at warehouse facilities in particular — and ban “captive audience” meetings. The senator has not yet proposed formal legislation on this matter. Stay tuned to Connecting the Dots for updates.