Sorensen on the House Floor: We Must Strengthen Workers’ Rights

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) delivered a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives expressing support for the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act which strengthens a worker’s right to form and join a union.

“I've heard from so many working families across Central and Northwestern Illinois who feel left behind. Big corporations report record profits while workers struggle to make ends meet,” said Sorensen. “But let’s remember that it was the American worker who built this country. And it was workers, coming together to bargain collectively, who built a strong middle class.” 

“The statutory right to form a union and bargain collectively is foundational to a free and fair society,” said Luke Ogan, Business Representative for the Operating Engineers, Local Union No. 649. “This fundamental right has been under constant attack for nearly 80 years. Passing the PRO Act would be a monumental step toward restoring workers’ rights to organize and bargain together for power in the workplace.” 

The PRO Act, co-sponsored by Sorensen, is the most significant update to workers’ collective bargaining rights in 80 years. The legislation empowers workers to exercise their right to organize, holds employers accountable for violating workers’ rights, and secures free, fair, and safe union elections. 

Watch the entire House floor speech here. 

Congressman Eric Sorensen is the first openly LGBTQ person elected to represent Illinois at the federal level and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.

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