Labor - Working for Working Americans
My efforts in Congress to support American working families have earned me 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
Stay Updated -- Subscribe to Sherman's Newsletter
I was proud to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which President Biden signed into law.
This once-in-a-century investment in our national infrastructure will help create good union jobs and ensure America’s competitiveness for the 21st Century.
Our nations bridges, roads, highways, and transit badly need repairs and improvements.
The passage of this bill is a triumph for working people, it will bolster our economic well-being and secure our infrastructure for years to come.
“Right-to-work” laws are often referred to as “right to work for less” laws.
“Right-to-work” laws are union-busting and hurt workers, plain and simple, unionization rates in the 27 states with these laws are abysmal.
Their stated goal: take jobs from other states by offering a more “business friendly climate,” which means weak unions and low wages.
Only by ending so-called “right-to-work” laws nationwide can we stop the race to the bottom.
I re-introduced the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act along with Sen. Elizabeth Warren. We worked together to introduce identical legislation in the House & Senate. I have carried this bill in every Congress since 2008.
I was pleased to see the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act adopting a key provision in the bill to allow unions to override "right-to-work" laws.
The late President of AFL-CIO, the great Richard Trumka, said about this bill: “With the introduction of legislation banning so-called ‘Right-to-Work’ laws, Congressman Sherman has once again demonstrated his strong commitment to working families”.
I joined with Congressman Bobby Scott and others to introduce the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which will strengthen protections for workers’ right to organize.
Specifically, the bill would establish penalties on predatory corporations that violate workers’ rights and combat misclassification of workers from employees to independent contractor status.
My colleagues and I passed the PRO Act in the House and I continue to urge the Senate Leadership to pass this important legislation.
I joined with Congressman Matt Cartwright to introduce the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act which would require states to provide public-service workers the freedom to join a union and collectively bargain.
This bill would provide 20 million public employees a nationwide minimum standard of collective bargaining rights.
I joined with Congressman Bobby Scott and others to introduce the Raise the Wage Act. This bill would increase the federal minimum wage to $15 by the year 2025.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, this would increase wages for roughly 32 million people, lifting millions of Americans out of poverty, and strengthening the economy for all Americans.
Currently, 20 states do not provide all state and local public safety employees the ability to collectively bargain for fair wages and hours, while seven of those states prevent them from even forming a labor union.
I joined with Congressman Dan Kildee and others to introduce The Public Safety-Employer Cooperation Act and the Fire Fighters and EMS Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, which would recognize the fundamental right of public safety employees to form and join unions and bargain collectively with their employers over wages, hours, and working conditions.
More on Labor - Working for Working Americans
Sherman Oaks, California – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) announced that nearly $16 million in federal funds for projects in the San Fernando Valley and parts of the Westside of Los Angeles have been included in legislation signed into law by President Biden today.
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.
"Ground operation workers at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Jet Blue hub and their colleagues across the nation have my support as they organize for unionization with Machinists Union," said Congressman Brad Sherman. "All workers deserve a say in their workplace."
###
Sherman Oaks, California - Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) issued a messsage of solidarity with California healthcare workers who are demanding better staffing.
"I stand in support of the SEIU Local 121 Nurses at HCA hospitals," said Sherman. "They are on the front lines of our healthcare system. They, and the patients they care for, need safe staffing."
###
Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) announced today that Congress has passed his requests of over $20 million in federal funds for projects that will address crucial needs across the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles. Last year, Congressman Sherman secured nearly $9 million in federal funding for numerous valley projects and priorities.
Sherman Oaks, California -- Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) joined the Biden Administration to commemorate the 1-year anniversary of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that is quickly transforming communities across the nation.