FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 28, 2023
UMWA Urges Swift Action to Pass the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act
[TRIANGLE, VA] United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) International President Cecil E. Roberts issued the following statement today:
“The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act) would provide strength to working people to negotiate for better wages and benefits in their workplace. This critical piece of legislation would finally put teeth back into the National Labor Relations Act with respect to organizing workers.
“It is only fitting to name this legislation in Richard Trumka’s memory, a labor leader who dedicated his life to advocating for working families. The UMWA is proud to have had such a strong champion for workers’ rights as President Emeritus of our great union.
“We also want to thank the members of Congress who support this bill, including Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who re-emphasized his support to us earlier this week.
‘Nearly half of new unions fail to reach a contract within their first year because their employers won’t even come to the table. That is plain wrong. I support the commonsense reforms in the PRO Act that will level the playing field and protect workers’ rights,’ Senator Manchin said.
“But it will take support from both sides of the aisle to get this vital bill passed. I urge Congress to take the necessary steps to quickly pass the PRO Act. Don’t allow American workers to face any more years of unrest at the hands of greedy corporations.”
