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Congressman Baird votes no on PRO union act
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Jim Baird
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fourth District Indiana Congressman Jim Baird (R-Greeencastle) voted no on H.R. 842, the PRO Act.
“This bill is a political giveaway to union bosses at the expense of American workers,” Congressman Baird said. “It would force workers into union contracts, bar workers’ right to vote by a secret ballot, and undermine Indiana’s own right-to-work laws.
“Furthermore,” Baird added, “this bill would hinder our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by stifling innovation and workers freedoms with its top-down, one-size fits all approach.”
The PRO Act is a radical bill that provides a political gift to union bosses that will result in diminished rights of workers and small businesses, the congressman said. He noted that it:
| • | Overturns right-to-work laws in 27 states, including Indiana, forcing workers to give up their hard-earned dollars to labor unions, regardless if they want to be represented by a union. |
| • | Would make workers susceptible to harassment, intimidation, and deceit from union organizers by requiring employers to hand over workers’ private, personal information to union organizers, including home addresses, cellphone and landline numbers, personal email addresses. |
| • | Denies employers due process rights by prohibiting them from being heard before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on matters pertaining to union representation. Only unions will be allowed to speak before the NLRB in these instances. |
| • | Restricts flexibility and freedom of workers who want the ability to set their own hours and harm the gig-economy by codifying the California’s “ABC” test that would set a national standard whether or not a worker is an employee or independent contractor. |