400 Faith Leaders Say: PRO Act Now!

This week faith activists delivered a letter to all 50 U.S. Senators calling on them to pass the PRO Act, making it easier for workers to form a union. The letter, signed by 400 faith leaders nationwide representing dozens of denominations and traditions — including Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv, of Lexington KY — urges Senators to pass the Act and protect the dignity of workers.

“Because we believe in the sacred worth of both work and workers, we support the “Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO)” Act, which will strengthen and expand the right of workers to form unions, bargain collectively, and engage in collective action without fear of retaliation by their employers,” the letter states.

The PRO Act levies stiff penalties on employers who fire or otherwise retaliate against workers exercising their legal right to organize, and extends the protections of the National Labor Relations Act to gig workers and the undocumented.

Some 240 Catholics priests, religious and lay social ministry leaders signed the letter circulated by the Interreligious Network for Worker Solidarity.

For coverage see:

• Bishop Stowe: Essential workers sacrificed their safety during the pandemic. Now Congress must pass stronger labor protections. America Magazine
• Faith leaders call for reforms that ensure workers’ right to join a union. Catholic News Service