Title
Urging the United States Congress to reject H.R.785, also known as the National Right-to-Work Act, due to the legislation's negative impact on the ability of unions to bargain on behalf of working-class families.
Body
WHEREAS, H.R.785, better known as the National Right-to-Work Act, aims to prevent employers and unions from entering into union-security agreements, which allow unions in workplaces with such agreements to collect dues from non-members to help cover the costs of negotiation. Without such agreements, unions would face a 'free-rider' problem, whereby non-members would be able to reap the benefits of collective bargaining without paying the costs necessary to secure those benefits; and
WHEREAS, Unions have played a crucial role in raising the standard of living for members and non-members alike, using the power of collective bargaining to transform the relationship between employers and employees. Collective bargaining benefits include better healthcare coverage, higher wages and a more secure retirement; and
WHEREAS, A union's ability to effectively advocate on behalf of workers is put in jeopardy when individuals are able to take advantage of negotiated benefits without paying for the costs of negotiation. Right-to-work legislation will prevent unions from recouping those costs from non-members and effectively incentivize non-membership. If unions are deprived of the resources necessary to stand up for workers, working-class families will likely see a marked decline in their standard of living; and
WHEREAS, While one of the bill's primary sponsors in the House of Representatives, Rep. Joe Wilson, argues that the goal of federal right-to-work legislation is "to protect American workers," in effect the law will drastically undermine workers' ability to collectively bargain for higher wages and better working conditions; and
WHEREAS, Unions have historically provided workers with robust protection against unfair employment practi...
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