U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has introduced a set of bills aimed at reforming labor laws to strengthen worker rights and adapt to changes in the workforce. The legislative package follows two recent hearings on labor reform led by Cassidy.
“Congress has not updated labor laws for nearly 100 years, yet the economy and the way we work have changed. We have a responsibility to bring stability to businesses, unions, and workers to make our nation competitive in a 21st-century economy,” said Dr. Cassidy. “As Chairman of the HELP Committee, I’m committed to finding a path forward and building consensus between businesses, unions, and workers. These bills are an important step as we work together to deliver President Trump’s pro-worker agenda and empower the middle class to achieve the American Dream.”
Cassidy has been leading efforts among Senate Republicans for over a year to modernize federal labor law. In July, he introduced legislation designed to allow independent workers access to portable workplace benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.
The legislative package includes bills sponsored by Cassidy as well as Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Tim Scott (R-SC). The proposed measures include:
– The Worker Reforming Elections for Speedy and Unimpeded Labor Talks (RESULTS) Act: Aims to ensure fair union elections, help workers secure contracts promptly, and allow them more say over union agreements.
– The NLRB Stability Act: Requires that National Labor Relations Board decisions align with federal court precedent for greater consistency.
– The Fairness in Filing Act: Seeks to reduce frivolous claims that contribute to case backlogs at the NLRB.
– The Union Members Right to Know Act: Would give workers more control over how their union dues are used.
– The Put American Workers First Act: Proposes making it an unfair labor practice to hire or unionize illegal immigrants.
– The Protection on the Picket Line Act: Clarifies that federal antidiscrimination law is not overridden during strikes or picketing activities.
– The Worker Privacy Act: Intends to protect personal data collected during unionization processes.
Austen Bannan from Americans for Prosperity commented on the initiative: “Americans for Prosperity thanks Senators Cassidy, Scott, and Tuberville, as well as the Senate HELP Committee, for advancing a package of reforms that will help us lead the global economy in the 21st century by empowering every worker. We do this by modernizing rigid, dated labor laws that fail to give workers the voice and transparency they deserve. These reforms will provide workers with greater choice and opportunities in the workplace to unleash prosperity and take advantage of our evolving and innovative labor market.”
F. Vincent Vernuccio of Institute for the American Worker added: “The Senate HELP labor package delivers long-overdue reforms that finally put American workers first. It restores choice and voice in the workplace through the Worker RESULTS Act and protects workers from being trapped into funding politics they oppose in the Union Members Right to Know Act. It closes a loophole to ensure the NLRB follows the law under the NLRB Stability Act and stops harassment tactics through frivolous complaints in the Fairness in Filings Act. It allows employers to protect workers from abuse and harassment in the workplace under the Protection on the Picket Line Act,” said F. Vincent Vernuccio, President, Institute for the American Worker. “Together, these bills reflect a modern approach to labor relations — one that trusts workers, promotes transparency, and ensures the law is applied fairly. The committee, led by Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA), deserves credit for advancing a balanced package that empowers American workers and strengthens freedom in the workplace.”
Mark Mix from National Right to Work Committee stated: “For decades, the National Labor Relations Board has made it increasingly difficult for workers to decertify and remove unwanted union bosses from their workplace. The NLRB invented ‘bars’ that go beyond written law to block worker-requested union decertifications. If workers’ employer is under new management, they cannot decertify. If union lawyers file charges against an employer—even if they are unsubstantiated—workers cannot decertify. If charges are settled still there may be a period where workers cannot decertify,” said Mark Mix, President National Right To Work Committee.“The Worker RESULTS Act removes these non-statutory barriers…It mandates secret ballot union elections…These changes give workers more power…as we work toward a day when no worker can be forced…to pay union dues or be ‘represented’ by union officials they do not support.”
Sean Higgins from Competitive Enterprise Institute endorsed part of this legislative effort: “The Competitive Enterprise Institute endorses Union Members Right To Know Act which codifies worker rights under…the 1988 Supreme Court decision Communications Workers v Beck…This legislation would ensure…workers are informed of existing rights…Unions have little incentive…under current law…it is fitting…and proper therefore Congress step in…”
Cassidy’s proposals also received endorsement from organizations such as National Federation of Independent Business.
