On Wednesday, organizing congressional workers wrote a letter to the House leaders asking them to pass a resolution that would allow them to unionize quickly.
House Res. 915, which was filed in House Res. In February,, would activate existing policy that would allow congressional staffers petition for and to form unions. In its letter, the Congressional Workers Union argues that there’s no reason to keep delaying action on the over two month-old resolution and that it must be brought to the floor.
“We, as congressional workers, fight every day for a better future for ourselves, our families, this institution, and the American people. However, we currently lack the basic protections and legal processes to organize enjoyed by other federal workers and workers across this country,” the group wrote. “Many of us write and work tirelessly to advance the very laws that protect and promote every worker’s right to organize. We deserve those same rights.”
Workers asked Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker (D-California), and Steny Hoyer, Majority Leader (D-Maryland), to bring the resolution up for a vote in the week of April 25 or in approximately two weeks.
It’s unclear why the resolution hasn’t yet been brought to a vote. The House Administration Committee was formed in the middle of last month. held a hearingThe resolution will be finalized and explored on the subject. Although the legislation allowing unionization, the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA), was passed almost three decades ago, lawmakers have never taken the final step to officially authorize workers to join the union.
The resolution would turn off the legislation and each Congress member’s office would qualifyAs a separate bargaining unit, which could unionize.
“For 26 years, Congress has failed to act, and workers have suffered for it,” wrote the Congressional Workers Union. “As the leaders of this institution responsible for protecting American democracy, you now have an opportunity to fulfill the promises of the CAA by extending congressional workers these basic rights — protecting the freedom of association and fostering democracy in your own workplaces.”
House leaders seem to support the effort. A spokesperson for Pelosi stated that February was the month of Pelosi’s support. she would offer her “full support” for unionization, while Administration Committee Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-California) has said that it is “well past time” for the resolution to be passed. President Joe Biden supports the push. According toJen Psaki, White House Press Secretary
It seems that the resolution has the support and endorsement of many members of the House Democratic caucus. It was first introduced in the House Democratic caucus. it hadIt had 136 cosponsors at the time; it has now gathered nearly 30 more.
Over a year has passed since Congressional workers began organizing, citing low wages as well as difficult working conditions. These conditions have led to a “brain drain” from Congress, they say, as well-qualified workers flee for better wages and conditions in the private sector.
They claim that non-white staffers are treated particularly poorly. Anonymous users can follow Dear White Staffers Instagram account. non-white staffers sayThey feel they don’t have any opportunities for advancement. racist harassment in the halls of CongressThat and more Capitol Hill staff are overwhelmingly whiteDespite the increasing diversity of Congress,
