WASHINGTON, DC - After Representatives Keith Ellison (D-MN) and John Lewis (D-GA) introduced the Employee Empowerment Act," Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:

"This important piece of legislation introduced today by Representatives Ellison and Lewis is emblematic of their deep commitment to workers' rights and steadfast opposition to discrimination and intimidation anywhere, particularly at the workplace. The bill gives employees whose labor rights are violated the same legal remedies as those whose civil rights are violated at the workplace.

"Too often, employees seeking to unite with their co-workers to demand better wages, benefits and workplace safety provisions face aggressive and often illegal anti-union campaigns coordinated by their employer. Intimidation, illegal firings, wrongful discipline and other tactics aimed at breaking workers' will are commonplace when they seek to join together on the job.

"Along with Representatives Ellison and Lewis, we believe that workers have the right to stick together and that there are powerful interests dead set on stripping them of that right. In order for workers to be heard, it's often necessary to band together so companies take them seriously. Too many employers try to prevent this so they can limit workers' power. Collective bargaining enables employees unite as a group so they can speak with a more powerful voice.

"We thank Representatives Ellison and Lewis for their leadership and hope that House leadership will take up this bill without delay."

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