Public employees could join unions and engage in collective bargaining under bipartisan legislation introduced on May 16 by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and 87 of his colleagues.
“Our public servants at every level of government are crucial to ensuring that the important functions of our nation are carried out each day,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, the lead original cosponsor of the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2024, H.R. 8426.
“Beyond being grateful for their dedication, Congress must guarantee the rights of these employees to organize and collectively bargain,” the congressman said. “I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act which will do just that, expanding protections for those who work tirelessly for the benefit of my constituents in Bucks and Montgomery Counties and for communities across the country.”
Specifically, H.R. 8426, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA), would empower the Federal Labor Relations Authority to protect the rights of state, territorial, and local government employees to form, join, or assist unions; to bargain collectively; and to join together to engage in other activities to improve their working conditions, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Fitzpatrick’s staff.
Additionally, the bill would enable the employees to have their union recognized by their public employer through democratic procedures; have a procedure for resolving impasses in collective bargaining; and would authorize the deduction of fees to support the union to the extent permitted by law, the summary says.
H.R. 8426 has been endorsed by numerous organizations and unions, including the AFL-CIO, the Amalgamated Transit Union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Steelworkers, and the Utility Workers Union of America, among many others.
“Strong public and private-sector unions built the middle class in our country,” said Rep. Cartwright. “With all of the progress workers of all stripes have made, now is not the time to turn back the clock on fair pay and workplace protections when struggling families need it the most.”