{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-committee-democrats-introduce-bill-to-protect-freedom-to-join", "Scott, Committee Democrats Introduce Bill to Protect Freedom to Join Unions", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Robert Scott", "S000185", "bobbyscott.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As originally released by the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Democrats\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013\u00a0TODAY, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), ranking member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, along with Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, Congressman Gregorio Sablan (MP-AL), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), and Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) introduced H.R. 4548, the Workplace Action for a Growing Economy Act of 2017, or the WAGE Act.\n\u201cFor too long, employers have used illegal tactics to fight back against union organizing drives \u2013 tactics like threatening workers and firing them for union activity,\u201d said Congressman Scott (VA-03). \u201cThey have gotten away with it because the National Labor Relations Act \u2013 the law protecting workers\u2019 right to organize \u2013 leaves workers with insufficient recourse. The WAGE Act changes that by creating meaningful penalties to prevent employers from violating the right to organize, by strengthening remedies for workers who suffer retaliation for exercising their rights, and by guaranteeing the right to seek relief in federal court.\u201d\n\u201cStrengthening workers\u2019 ability to join a union and collectively bargain for pay and benefits is critical to restoring America\u2019s middle class, which has been hallowed out by decades of anti-worker policies,\u201d said Congressman Takano (CA-41). \u201cThis legislation is a step toward fixing the rules of the economy, which have left so many American workers behind.\u201d\n\u201cWhen working Americans are empowered to collectively bargain with their employers over wages and conditions of employment, wage growth can be linked to gains in productivity,\u201d said Congressman Sablan (MP-AL). \u201cBy safeguarding workers\u2019 freedom to join unions and negotiate with their employers, the WAGE Act protects workers\u2019 abilities to share in the wealth they create.\u201d\n\u201cIf you value the 40-hour, 5-day work week, child labor laws, family and medical leave, pensions, workplace safety policies, and fair wages\u2014you can thank a union,\u201d said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11). \u201cI am proud to partner with my colleagues in this effort to strengthen unions, which will continue to help all our nation\u2019s workers.\u201d\n\u201cI worked for decades as an electrician and I know firsthand that having a voice in the workplace leads to higher wages and fairer working conditions,\u201d said Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). \u201cUnfortunately, the penalties for bad actors who break labor organizing laws are slaps on the wrist. It\u2019s time we stand up for hardworking Americans by creating meaningful consequences to denying someone a fair day\u2019s pay for a hard day\u2019s work.\u201d\nAmerica\u2019s working people are more productive than ever, yet they are not receiving their fair share of the wealth they create. Research shows that the decline in union density has contributed to wage stagnation and the erosion of the middle class. The freedom to join a union and collectively bargain is critical to reversing this trend and boosting stagnant wages.\nThe WAGE Act deters employers from violating the National Labor Relations Act when workers exercise their rights to join unions. It does so by requiring civil penalties for serious violations, strengthening remedies for workers who have been unlawfully discharged, and empowering workers with the right to seek relief in federal court\u2014similar to rights guaranteed under other civil rights and employment laws.\nThe WAGE Act protects the freedom to join a union by:\n Increasing transparency by requiring employers to post notices of workers\u2019 rights under the NLRA.\n\tCreating penalties to prevent violations of workers\u2019 rights to join unions or engage in collective action.\n\tStrengthening remedies for workers who suffer retaliation for exercising their rights under the NLRA.\n\tExpanding coverage of the NLRA to prevent workers from being denied their legal recourse.\n\tStreamlining the process for workers to organize a union and negotiate a first contract.\n FACT SHEET: The WAGE Act of 2017\nSECTION-BY-SECTION: The WAGE Act of 2017\nBILL TEXT: The WAGE Act of 2017", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-committee-democrats-introduce-bill-to-protect-freedom-to-join"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6137820202857256, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}