Tina Smith on Jobs

Sponsored bill against states passing right-to-work laws

Tina Smith: No. Introduced bill to prevent states from passing right-to-work laws. Workers have the right to "join together for fair wages, benefits and improved working conditions."

Jason Lewis: Yes. Supports local right-to-work laws, saying it shouldn't be a crime for someone not to join a union, but doesn't believe they should be imposed nationally.

Raise federal minimum wage to $15 by 2024

Smith: Yes. Co-sponsored legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2024.

Housley: No. In 2017 in MN Senate, voted to prohibit local governments from raising local minimum wage. Voted against raising MN minimum in 2013 & 2014.

End federal contracts if employer mistreats employees

"It's pretty simple, taxpayer-funded government contracts should go to companies that follow the law and treat their workers fairly. Unfortunately, today, too many federal contracts are being awarded to companies with egregious and repeated violations of worker protection laws," said Sen. Smith. "While most contractors treat their workers fairly, we should be cracking down on the bad actors that put workers' lives and livelihoods at risk."

The Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Act would also ensure that taxpayer funds aren't used for union-busting activity.

Sponsored bill for strengthening union organizing.

H.R.842 & S.420: Protecting the Right to Organize Act: This bill expands various labor protections related to employees` rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace:

1. revises the definitions of employee, supervisor, and employer to broaden the scope of individuals covered by the fair labor standards;
2. permits labor organizations to encourage participation of union members in strikes initiated by employees represented by a different labor organization (i.e., secondary strikes); and
3. prohibits employers from bringing claims against unions that conduct such secondary strikes.

Biden Administration in SUPPORT: The Administration strongly supports The PRO Act. America was not built by Wall Street. It was built by the middle class, and unions built the middle class. Unions put power in the hands of workers. H.R. 842 would strengthen and protect workers` right to form a union by assessing penalties on employers who violate workers` right to organize.

Rep. Mo Brooks in OPPOSITION: H.R. 842 [is] a radical union bill that tramples the rights of citizens by forcing them to enter into union servitude, including:

• Overturns right-to-work laws in 27 states, thereby forcing citizens, against their will, to pay millions of dollars in dues to labor unions.
• Denies citizens` rights to vote by secret ballot on whether to join a union by imposing a biased `card-check` scheme.
• Deprives individuals of entrepreneurial opportunities. The PRO Act would eliminate the franchise industry and sharing economy as we know them.