Washington, D.C. (May 16, 2024) – Brent Booker, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today:

LIUNA commends Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) on introduction of the bipartisan Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act (PSFNA) to guarantee collective bargaining for public employees throughout the U.S.

 

The bill would set minimum standards for public sector bargaining, including enabling public sector workers to organize and join a union, collectively bargain over wages and conditions of employment, authorize the deduction of fees to support the union to the extent permitted by law, and resolve employer disputes.

 

LIUNA represents tens of thousands of public employees who work for state, county and municipal governments. They serve the public - working in health care, sanitation, road and building maintenance, parks and recreation, construction, and much more.

 

Currently, about half of all states deny public sector workers the freedom to collectively bargain for better wages, safe working conditions, and more. The PSFNA is needed to ensure that all public employees in the U.S. have the right to form, join, and bargain a contract in a union.

 

LIUNA urges Congress to come together and pass the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act.

 

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The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build the United States and Canada.