A bicameral Republican bill offered on April 19 by U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) would reform America’s labor laws for the 21st century.
Among numerous provisions, the Employee Rights Act, S. 1201/H.R. 2700, would protect workers’ right to a secret ballot union election and limit the amount of employee personal information a union receives during an organizing drive, according to a bill summary provided by Republicans.
“Washington Democrats have long bowed to the demands of union bosses by prioritizing radical labor policies that harm small businesses and workers,” said Sen. Thune, who signed on as one of 15 GOP original cosponsors of S. 1201, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).
“I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this common-sense bill that upholds individuals’ ability to choose to work as an independent contractor and ensures workers’ rights are protected against coercion from union bosses and the Biden administration’s heavy-handed labor agenda,” Sen. Thune said.
Among the lawmakers who joined him in introducing the bill was U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
If enacted, the measure also would require unions to receive permission from each member to use his or her union dues for purposes other than collective bargaining, such as political contributions; and provide clarity on the joint-employer standard by stating that businesses should not be held liable for other employers who are not under their control, according to the summary.
Additionally, the bill would protect independent contractors and clarify the definition of “employee,” the summary says.
“South Dakota is a right-to-work state, and I’m proud to be a part of legislative efforts to ensure South Dakota workers’ ability to make their own decision to join a union,” said Rep. Johnson. “The Employee Rights Act protects worker privacy, guarantees secret ballot elections, and protects tribal businesses from National Labor Relations Board intervention.”
Joining Rep. Johnson as a cosponsor of H.R. 2700 were U.S. Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK) and John Moolenaar (R-MI).