Congressman Rooney Praises Labor Department’s Decision to Categorize Worker Center as a Labor Organization

Congressman Francis Rooney praised the Labor Department’s landmark decision to categorize a Minneapolis worker center as a labor organization. Under this new determination, the Center of Workers United in Struggle must abide by federal rules governing unions. Previously, they were avoiding federal rules and labor law even though they were fundamentally operating as a union.

Congressman Rooney stated, “For far too long, worker centers across the United States have been indistinctly acting as unions without having to abide by federal union laws and rules. The Labor Department’s decision is a positive step towards promoting transparency for employees. If an organization operates as a union, they must follow the applicable laws and rules so that no activities are hidden from their members or the public.”

“I encourage Secretary Scalia to continue to hold those engaging in collective bargaining accountable to the law under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act and the National Labor Relations Act. I look forward to working with the Secretary to establish appropriate and fair transparency related to all labor organizations. It is critical to protect workers and root out corruption like we are seeing by the United Auto Workers and Gary Jones, and to hold all union bosses accountable.”

Background:

• Congressman Rooney previously introduced the Accountability for Represented Workers Act to offer more transparency and close the worker center loophole by affirming they operate under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA).
• Congressman Rooney questioned former Secretary Acosta about the worker center loophole on multiple occasions and sent a follow up letter in December 2018 requesting the Secretary continue to examine the issue.
• Congressman Rooney reintroduced the Union Transparency and Accountability Act introduced earlier this year to codify increase financial transparency for the T-1, LM-2 and LM-30 forms.