PRO Act is the Antithesis to a Modern Workforce

By [ Evan Armstrong ]
Washington, DC
03/09/2021

Evan Armstrong, Vice President, Workforce at the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement as the U.S. House prepares to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act today.

“Retailers are focused on building a 21st Century Retail Workforce that is diverse, innovative, and skilled. The House passage of the PRO Act is the antithesis of a modern approach to workforce laws and is an irresponsible blueprint for employment policy.

“The PRO Act puts the interests of politically connected organized labor over workers, employers and the economy. It is a return to antiquated thinking about work and no amount of amendments for government studies will alter that fact. Ultimately, the bill only seeks to prop up unions at the expense of employee rights, worker protections, innovation, and growth. Instead of working to find common ground between employers and workers and encouraging collaboration the legislation further exasperates the parties and inserts barriers for compromises.

“RILA urges the Senate to ignore the House passed PRO Act and join leading retailers in our focus on the national recovery from COVID-19 and building back a thriving American workforce.”

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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.