Labor - Working for Working Americans
Sherman's efforts in Congress to support American working families have earned him an "A" or 100% rating from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, SEIU, UFCW, UAW and virtually every other labor organization which rates voting records for Members of Congress.
Below are some of Sherman's recent efforts to continue supporting hard-working Americans and their families.
Protecting Workers’ Right to Organize
Good paying union jobs built the American middle class, and the Labor Movement is critical to increasing wages and addressing income inequality.
Today, union members earn over 13 percent more than those with similar education, occupation, and experience in a non-union workplace.
However, special interest-funded attacks on labor laws have eroded union membership and toothless laws have been exploited by unscrupulous employers in order to slash union membership.
To better protect workers, Sherman joined with Ranking Member Bobby Scott and others to reintroduce the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This bill will strengthen protections for workers’ right to organize.
Specifically, it will establish new penalties on predatory corporations that violate workers’ rights and combat the misclassification of workers from employees to independent contractor status.
Sherman and his colleagues successfully passed the PRO Act in the House several years ago when there was a pro-labor majority; however, the Senate failed to pass this important legislation.
Ending So-Called "Right-to-Work" Laws
So-called “right-to-work” laws (which should really be called right-to-work-for-less laws) are union-busting, plain and simple, and they are harmful to working families and our economy.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees in states with these anti-labor laws have an average annual income of about $10,149 less per year compared to workers in pro-labor states. That is more than a 15% difference in wages.
In the past decade, four more states have passed right-to-work-for-less laws. Today, 26 states have one of these anti-labor laws on the books. In those states, 24% of jobs were found to be in low-wage occupations, compared to 14.5% of jobs in states with stronger labor protections.
That is why Sherman has been the lead sponsor of the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act every Congress since 2008.
This important legislation is supported by numerous labor organizations including the AFL-CIO, SEIU, AFGE, Teamsters, and AFSCME.
The late, great Richard Trumka, former President of AFL-CIO, said about the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act: “With the introduction of legislation banning so-called ‘Right-to-Work’ laws, Congressman Sherman has once again demonstrated his strong commitment to working families.”
Protecting Your Retirement
Recently, Republicans advanced two bills on crypto currency that pose serious risks to retirement accounts, pension funds, and the stability of the U.S. economy.
Sherman joined the AFL-CIO in urging all Members of Congress to reject these irresponsible proposals that could enable the crypto industry to operate without oversight, endangering the retirement funds that millions of workers have earned over a lifetime.
As noted by the AFL-CIO, these cryptocurrency bills do not protect consumers, workers or the financial system and instead they expose all to more risk. That is why Sherman led opposition to these proposals in both the Financial Services Committee and on the floor of the House of Representatives.
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More on Labor - Working for Working Americans
Sherman Oaks, California – Today Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) issued the following statement:
"I stand in solidarity with SEIU Local 121RN members in their quest for patient safety. The nurses at Northridge Hospital Medical Center are on the frontline of our healthcare system and deserve support - not more cuts - so they can take care of their patients."
Sherman Oaks, California – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) was joined by Fire Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Kristin M. Crowley at Los Angeles Fire Station 88 in Sherman Oaks where the Congressman presented a check for $3 million in federal funds that he secured to help improve local fire stations and increase public safety.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) and Senator Elizabeth Warren(Massachusetts), today announced the introduction of the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act -- legislation that would eliminate so-called ‘right-to-work' laws nationwide.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) joined Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Members of the California Congressional delegation on a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and State Representatives to urge support for SB 616 that would increase the number of paid sick days that employess can earn and use.
"Paid sick leave allows employees to take time off to take care of themselves and their families without the fear of losing pay," said Congressman Sherman. "I am proud to have joined Rep. Gomez in supporting California working families."
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- On July 14, 2023, the American actors' union SAG–AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) went on strike over an ongoing labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). It has coincided with a Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike as part of broader Hollywood labor disputes.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- Hundreds of cooks, room attendants, dishwashers, servers, bellmen and other workers from eight area hotels walked off the job Monday, July 10, marking the second wave of the largest multi-hotel strike in Southern California history.
"I stand in solidarity with the hard working UNITE HERE Local 11 in their quest for livable wages, a fair contract, and an economy that works for everyone," said Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32).
Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Brad Sherman met with LiUNA! Local 300 members Sergio Rascon, Luis Robles, Tony Olea, Ernesto Pantoja and Alex Aguilar of Studio Utility Employees Local 724.
"We discussed the importance of safe job sites, properly preparing workers for jobs and the key role laborers will play in building the Sepulveda Pass projects," said Sherman after the meeting.