Florida Chambers: Stop the PRO Act

March 8, 202 1

Florida Congressional Delegation

RE: Chambers of Commerce Urge You to Vote No on H.R. 842, the “Protecting the Right to
Organize (PRO) Act ”

Dear Members of Florida’s Congressional Delegation:

The undersigned Chamber s of Commerce representing jobs creators and local businesses from across
Florida, write to urge you to vote NO on H.R. 842, the “Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act ,” and
to oppose the harmful impacts that this legislation would have on Florida’s economy.

The PRO Act would radically rewrite American labor policy and erase any sense of balance that has
existed since Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935. While the bill includes
many harmful provisions, some of the most damaging include: unde rmining secret ballot union elections,
violating worker privacy, forcing workers to pay union dues, and imposing California’s stringent
independent contractor test nationwide.

In addition, the legislation would effectively repeal Florida’s right-to-work laws that have helped Florida
grow the jobs necessary to be the 17th largest economy in the world .

This Congress, the PRO Act has several additional provisions that make the bill even more troubling for
Florida’s continued growth and competitiveness . These include:

• Additional Violations of Worker Privacy: H.R 842 requires employers to turn over their
workers’ personal information in a “searchable electronic format” with no privacy
protections, thus risking exposure of their confidential information and opening the door to
intimidation.

• Decrease Turnout in Elections : The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has always
preferred in-person voting for union elections. In limited cases it has allowed mail -in ballots.
During the COVID-19 pandemic , mail-in ballots have been far more frequent. This process,
however, has led to decreased turnout. H.R . 842 would allow unions to permanently demand mail-
in ballots, reducing opportunities for workers to express their choice about a critical workplace
decision.

• Further Limits on Free Speech : H.R. 842 prohibits businesses from explaining that, perexistng
law, independent contractors are excluded from coverage of the NLRA.

• Workers Can Check-In, But Can’t Check Out : H.R. 842 codifies the NLRB’s so-called
“election bar” doctrine, prohibiting a decertification election prior to the end of an existing
contract. This would, effectively, deny workers the option of voting out a union they were
unhappy with.

• Further Disruption of the NLRA’s Balance : The NLRA establishes a careful balance between
the rights of unions and employers. Unions can launch strikes, but employers are given the
commensurate ability to lock out the workplace. H.R. 842 would take away that right, leaving
unions with one-sided power to apply economic pressure in a labor dispute.

These are just some of the harmful labor policies included in the PRO Act. W e appreciate your
consideration of this matter and respectfully request your support in maintaining a balanced labor
environment for our respec tive local communities and for Florida as a whole . We need your help to keep
Florida, Florida.

Sincerely,

David A. Hart, Executive Vice President
The Florida Chamber of Commerce

Daytona Regional Chamber
Destin Chamber of Commerce
Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce
Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce
Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
Jackson County Chamber of Commerce
JAX Chamber
Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce
South Dade Chamber of Commerce
Tavares Chamber of Commerce

CC: The Florida Congressional Delegation
The Honorable Marco Rubio
The Honorable Rick Scott
Charles Caulkins, Chair, Florida Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Mark Wilson, President and CEO, Florida Chamber of Commerce