Antiquated Labor Policy Fails Modern Workforce

RILA Statement on the PRO Act

By [ Evan Armstrong ]
Washington, DC
02/04/2021

Evan Armstrong, Vice President, Workforce at the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement on the introduction of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act):

“Retailers are focused on building a 21^st Century Retail Workforce that is diverse, innovative, and skilled. To realize this goal, we need modern thinking that reimagines outdated labor laws which impede innovation, disrupt communication between employers and employees, and stifle employee rights.

“The Protecting the Right to Organize Act introduced today is a return to antiquated thinking about work. This legislation seeks to bring back detrimental employment policies to prop up unions at the expense of employee rights, worker protections, innovation, and growth.

“The COVID pandemic wreaked havoc on our economy and put millions of hardworking Americans out of work. Proposals like the PRO Act, if passed, will prolong economic disruption for millions of workers. Leading retailers urge members of Congress to reject the PRO Act and instead work on forward-thinking proposals that empower workers, promote innovation, and enable retailers to invest in their people and their communities.”

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RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.

RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.