Dem lawmakers urge Congressional delegation to protect workers' right to organize

State Reps. H. Gilson Blair (D-Weathersfield) and Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati) joined House Democratic lawmakers today to urge Ohio’s congressional delegation to support the PRO Act, H.R. 2474, which would protect workers’ right to organize. The vote is pending before the U.S. House.

“We expect a vote this week on the PRO Act and we implore the Ohio Congressional delegation to vote to strengthen protections for working people—not undermine them by continuing to chip away at their rights,” Rep. Blair said.

The bill would give millions of workers additional protections to organize and negotiate for better pay, better benefits and safer working conditions.

“The Pro Act will create a more fair process for hardworking people who want to join together and negotiate for a better life. I’ve worked in union organizing; this federal legislation is long overdue and is an important step to making a more level playing field for workers,” Rep. Kelly said.

In 2011, Ohio voters overwhelmingly voted to overturn Senate Bill 5, a Republican-backed measure that would have stripped collective bargaining rights away from police, fire, teachers and other public employees.

The press conference follows Reps. Kelly and Blair’s introduction of a resolution in the Ohio House in Oct. 2019, which called on congressional leaders to stand with working people and pass the PRO Act.

A link to the video of the press conference can be found here.