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Golden Leading An Effort To Implement Legislation To Strengthen Unions

Maine Public File

Efforts by the Trump administration to reduce the influence of unions are spurring progressive-minded members of Congress to act. Maine’s 2nd District Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat, is leading an effort to get his party leaders to allow consideration of a bill to strengthen unions. 

He is the lead signer of a letter from 75 House members urging leaders to bring up legislation for a vote that is aimed at strengthening the ability of workers to form a union and providing stronger enforcement provisions.

“I always find the best wages, the best benefit packages, among those workforces, and it’s not a coincidence. It’s because they are bargaining with strength,” says Golden.

The legislation would prevent employers from interfering in union organizing, and would allow workers to go directly to court if employers violate their rights, instead of going through the National Labor Relations Board. It also would allow the Board to enforce its rulings without having to go to court.

If the measure is successful in the House, it will then need to be considered in the Republican-controlled Senate.

“If they don’t support strengthening workers bargaining power so that they can get higher wages, have better health care benefits and a better retirement package, then I guess that is on them.”

Update 5:12 p.m: Majority Leader Hoyer says that he will schedule a vote on the legislation before the February break, which starts February 14.

Journalist Mal Leary spearheads Maine Public's news coverage of politics and government and is based at the State House.