The bill would end prohibitions on collective and class action litigation; prohibit employers from permanently replacing striking employees; amend how employees are defined to ensure that no one is misclassified as an independent contractor; strengthen remedies and enforcement for employees who are exercising their rights; create a mediation and arbitration process for new unions; protect against captive audience meetings; and streamline the National Labor Relations Board’s procedures.

In response to today’s vote, the BlueGreen Alliance and several labor and environmental partners released the following statements:

“The Sierra Club applauds House Democrats for passing the PRO Act to prioritize the needs of working families and protect the unions that make our society more equitable. Just as strong unions have led our country forward for decades, we need strong unions to transition to a clean energy economy that leaves no one behind. The Senate should pass the PRO Act without delay.” – Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune. 

“To build an economy and democracy that works for all of us, no matter where we are from or what color we are, the rights of working people must be upheld. The current laws aren’t enough. There must be real consequences to efforts to stop people from forming a union. The PRO Act is a step forward toward an America where all working people can join together in unions to have a secure, family-sustaining job and clean air to breathe and clean water to drink.” – Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President Mary Kay Henry.

“For far too long, laws that govern the workplace have favored the boss. This important legislation takes steps to change that, giving working families more of a say in seeking fairer wages and benefits, safer working conditions and to fight against workplace discrimination. Thank you to Speaker Pelosi for her leadership in support of working families and to the members of Congress who signed onto this legislation.” – Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) National President James Slevin.

“Protecting and strengthening workers’ right to organize is a critical part of restoring power to working people, addressing wage stagnation and income inequality in our country. The PRO Act would help ensure that the jobs we create tackling the climate crisis and protecting communities in harm’s way are good, family-sustaining jobs. We are proud to stand in solidarity with our labor partners in support of this important legislation.” – League of Conservation Voters (LCV) President Gene Karpinski.

“We support the PRO Act because workers are on the front lines of the climate crisis and our solutions must include empowering them to take action. With their proven success at organizing for healthier, safer, and better lives for their workers revitalized labor unions will be a key to successfully taking on the climate crisis.” –Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Director of Federal Affairs Marc Boom.

“Unions are crucial to the prosperity of working Americans and the health of our environment and we applaud House leadership and the members of Congress who voted in support of this legislation today. The PRO Act ensures workers have a fair shot to band together and collectively bargain for better wages, safer workplaces, and a better future.” – BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Jason Walsh.