Issued February 07, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC -- Service Employees International Union (SEIU) International President Mary Kay Henry released the following statement today:
“The White House Task Force's initial recommendations mark a significant step forward in responding to workers’ growing demand for unions to build a better future, whether you're a federal employee, a federal contractor or a worker in any industry. The report recognizes what workers across the country already know – unions play a critical role in building our democracy, growing the middle class and strengthening our economy.
SEIU looks forward to working in partnership with federal agencies as they implement these recommendations, including ensuring that new hires as well as long-time federal workers know their rights to join together in unions and ensuring that unions are not hindered in communicating directly with workers.
At a time when corporations from Starbucks to Amazon are engaging in shameful tactics to intimidate workers seeking to unionize, the report sends a strong signal that those actions will not be tolerated by the National Labor Relations Board. The report recommends requiring companies to be more transparent about hiring anti-union consultants, among other measures.
SEIU members and worker leaders are cheering on federal workers, many of whom work in essential roles and showed up throughout the pandemic, keeping the government open. Their work took on a new importance after the failed coup attempt of January 6, 2020, when our very seat of democracy came under attack. It is imperative that they feel safe in their workplaces and have a voice in how they are paid and protected as they carry out their service to our nation.
Every worker deserves to be respected, protected, and paid, regardless of where they work and what they do for a living. That’s why SEIU and worker leaders support the Fight for $15 and a Union, which is already paving the way for higher wages for fast food workers in California and airport workers at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports. SEIU’s two million members will continue organizing and mobilizing to win an economy and democracy that works for all of us, with the most pro-union administration in history in our corner.”