WASHINGTON — The House authorized a resolution Tuesday allowing congressional employees to unionize amid rising frustration that salaries for staffers aren’t holding tempo with the excessive price of residing within the nation’s capital.
The measure was adopted in a 217-202 vote. No Senate motion is required.
The Congressional Workers Union praised the vote.
“Tonight is a reminder of the power of collective action and what the freedom to form a union truly means — democracy not just in our elections, but in our workplaces too,” the union stated in a press release.
The resolution, launched by Rep. Andy Levin, D-Mich., ensures employees can manage with out worry of retaliation.
Congressional staffers in February stated they deliberate to manage a union for aides serving in lawmakers’ places of work and committees on Capitol Hill.
“The Congress has long been strengthened by the skill, dedication and patriotism of our hard-working staffers, who enable us to fulfill our legislative and constituent responsibilities,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., stated in a press release after the vote. “The Democratic House is committed to honoring their service, while ensuring the Congress is well-positioned to compete for outstanding and diverse staff.”
Pelosi beforehand responded to the wage considerations of staffers by asserting final week that the House deliberate to set up a pay flooring, successfully guaranteeing a minimal wage of $45,000 for House aides.
Employees on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee additionally introduced Tuesday that that they had shaped the group’s first union, making it the most important collective bargaining unit within the Democratic Party.
