The proposal – known as the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act – would threaten workers’ privacy rights by forcing employers to turn their workers’ personal contact information – including their cell phone number and home address – over to unions, even if the employee objects. This legislation also undermines the right to a private ballot during union elections and would force employees to pay union dues regardless of whether they support a union.

This far-reaching legislation would strip independent contractors – including free-lancers and gig workers – of flexible work arrangements, resulting in fewer earning opportunities. The bill would also encourage unfair lawsuits and stifle employers’ right to communicate with their workforce during union elections.    

Unfortunately, this measure was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in March and likely stands only one Senate vote away from becoming law, since President Biden has indicated he would sign the bill. Proponents of the legislation are trying to fast-track this misguided proposal by conspiring to eliminate the filibuster rule, destroying the Senate’s time-honored and historically bipartisan tradition of respecting rights of the minority party.