In the News

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D, PA-8) reintroduced the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, legislation that aims to protect the collective bargaining rights of public sector unions.

The act seeks to address the potential threats to workers’ rights and unions following the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME. Cartwright reintroduced the act along with U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii.

The legislation would establish a minimum standard of collective bargaining rights for public employees, ensuring that they have the right to join unions and engage in collective bargaining. It also aims to address the disparities in wages and working conditions between union and non-union members. Cartwright highlighted the importance of organized labor in supporting the middle class.

The act has garnered endorsements from various labor organizations, including the AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teacher, and  International Brotherhood of Teamsters, among others. It is designed to empower the Federal Labor Relations Authority to protect the rights of state and local government employees to form, join or assist unions, and to engage in activities aimed at improving their working conditions, and to protect workers’ rights to organize for fair wages, benefits and working conditions.

“Strong public and private sector unions built the middle class in our country,” said Cartwright. “With all of the progress workers of all stripes have made, now is not the time to turn back the clock on fair pay and workplace protections when struggling families need it the most.”