U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) is among a group of Republican senators who introduced legislation that would change labor policies.
Specifically, the Employee Rights Act would make several key changes, many about unions.
Among the major provisions, it would protect workers’ right to a secret ballot union election; 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; limit the amount of employee personal information a union receives during an organizing drive; 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; and clarify the definition of “employee.”
“Washington Democrats have long bowed to the demands of union bosses by prioritizing radical labor policies that harm small businesses and workers,” Thune said. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this commonsense 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.”
The bill was also sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). It was cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).
Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Rick Allen (R-GA) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD). It is cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK), James Comer (R-KY), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Bob Good (R-VA), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Jake LaTurner (R-KS), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Mary Miller (R-IL), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Austin Scott (R-GA), Randy Weber (R-TX), and Joe Wilson (R-SC).
“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,” Johnson said. “The Employee Rights Act protects worker privacy, guarantees secret ballot elections, and protects tribal businesses from National Labor Relations Board intervention. These provisions are commonsense.”