Associated Builders and Contractors announced its strong support for the reintroduction of the Employee Rights Act in the 119th Congress. The legislation provides critical protections for workers in construction and other industries subject to unionization pressure campaigns.

“Worker choice, flexibility and privacy and are essential to the success of the construction industry, and the Employee Rights Act delivers much-needed balance to our nation’s labor laws,” said Kristen Swearingen, ABC vice president of federal affairs. “This bill protects all workers’ right to a secret ballot, their control over personal contact information and their freedom to work as independent contractors if they choose. Congress must act now to advance this pro-worker, pro-growth legislation and stop harmful policies that undermine workforce freedoms.”

Introduced by Rep. Rick Allen, R-Ga., the ERA would:

•    Guarantee secret ballot union elections on jobsites

•    Safeguard worker privacy and limit forced disclosure of personal information

•    Provide legal clarity for independent contractors

•    Clarifies the definition of a joint employer

•    Prevent the use of employee dues for union political campaigns without consent

ABC urges the swift consideration of the ERA to protect worker freedoms nationwide.