WASHINGTON, D.C. – After Rep. John Kline (R-MN), Chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, held a hearing on a National Labor Relations Board proposed rule that would modernize the process by which workers can vote to form a union, Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) issued the following statement:

“With millions of Americans still out of work or struggling to get by, the House Education and Workforce Committee should be focusing on creating good jobs, not wasting time attacking workers’ basic rights.

“This year we have seen unprecedented attacks on workers. Now, the federal government is taking action to begin to restore one right we hold dear in this country – the right to vote. It was clear that many Republicans on the committee were more concerned about their big corporate donors than their constituents who want good jobs that can support a family.

“We need to get America back to work. The economy has rebounded for corporations, but not for working people. Members of Congress should support any measures that would help their constituents improve their jobs so they can join the middle class. This proposed rule is a modest step toward achieving that goal.”

With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers—not just corporations and CEOs—benefit from today's global economy.

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