House Passes Resolution Allowing Staff to Unionize
Wall Street Journal
House Passes Resolution Allowing Staffers to Unionize
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The Facts
The House of Representatives passed a resolution on Tues. allowing its staffers to unionize - a major development for labor activists who have pushed for the option for years.
The 217-202 vote followed an announcement from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that aides would receive a guaranteed minimum salary of $45K in response to the concerns of staffers.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
This huge win for congressional organizers will give staff legal protection from retaliation against labor organization efforts for the first time in the history of the House. Previously, they would have faced the possibility of being fired or blacklisted - now the balance of power on working conditions has been justly shifted.
Republican narrative
These changes are unnecessary and messy. The high turnover in offices is likely to weaken this bill's effectiveness and some staffers are already prevented by law from collectively bargaining as it could damage their autonomy. There is also a real prospect that this effort could be reversed if the Dems. lose control of the House in the midterms.