Rep. Stansbury Votes to Recognize Congressional Workers' Right to Unionize

Press Release

Today, U.S.Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) voted to pass H. Res. 915, Recognizing Congressional Worker's Right to Organize. In February, Rep. Stansbury joined Rep.Andy Levin (Mich-09) and nearly 130 House Democrats as an original co-sponsor to introduce the resolution.

Following the passage of the Congressional Accountability Act in 1995, the Office of Compliance and Workplace Rights ruled in 1996 that passage of this resolution was the final step to give congressional workers legal protection to organize and bargain collectively in a worker's union. Congress' passage of the resolution nearly three decades later is largely thanks to the Congressional staff demanding fair treatment and fair pay.

"As a former Senate staffer, I am proud to stand in solidarity with our staffers and support their right to unionize," said Rep. Stansbury. "I grew up in a union strong family and know first-hand the critical protections and rights that unions provide for workers across our country. Today, I am proud to cosponsor and vote to pass this Resolution to support the right of congressional workers to organize and collectively bargain."

H. Res. 915, Recognizing Congressional Workers' Right to Organize grants legal protections for Congressional staff who choose to organize and bargain collectively. Rep. Stansbury's vote to pass the legislation comes after Speaker Nancy Pelosi's recent announcement of a new pay floor of $45,000 for Congressional staffers. Together with Speaker Pelosi's announcement, the resolution will help to ensure Congressional staff earn fair pay and benefits for their work.

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