CAPITOL HILL POLITICS (Washington Insider Magazine) – After Congressional workers announced their plans to organize a union for aides working in lawmakers’ offices, House Democrats are currently discussing a new resolution that is designed to promote governmental unionization and raise awareness about the sometimes difficult realities of working on Capitol Hill.
The resolution would protect members of the House, giving them the right to organize and gather together as a union. Since the House is still currently under Democratic control, bringing the resolution to life be should easy without any pushback or Republican support.
Spokesperson Drew Hammil affirmed the right of Congressional staff to continue to organize and unionize if they saw it fit to have a healthful work environment. He also went on to state that should Congress ever choose to continue to unionize, Speaker Pelosi would be in total support of their actions. ,
This measure would address the concerns of Congressional workers who often work long hours for low wages for often demanding bosses.
Over 140 lawmakers have come forward showing their full support for the resolution sponsored by Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich.).
Without this resolution, nothing can stop lawmakers from recognizing the union or retaliating against staffers for organizing.
Democrats have endorsed the effort by a self-described Congressional Workers Union, and Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) intends to introduce legislation to authorize collective gathering for House of Representatives staff.
The concept of unionization of congressional workers isn’t new to capitol hill, many aides over the last 25 years have discussed the idea of unionizing amongst themselves, but unfortunately never gained any traction.
Despite this being in the works for years, the frustrations to be heard and recognized grew even more during the ongoing pandemic and the January 6th attack on the capital. Staffers wanted to create a safer environment and provide better access to employee services.
Representative Levin told reporters that it was time to see the issue in a different light. He went on to state that it wasn’t about the individuals as the entity of Congress, but rather if the workers were affirmed of their freedom to unionize as so many others do.
If this measure passes would address the main priorities of the union organizers – reducing the many disparities in pay, improving diversity amongst the staff at the Capitol, and making promotions and salary increases possibles since the median salary for many positions at the Capitol hasn’t changed for years.
Many Republican lawmakers are not on board with this push for unionization on Capitol Hill regardless of median pay for most House jobs being $59,000 and the average cost of 1 bedroom in D.C. being a little under $2,300. Unfortunately, because the House and Senate most have separate resolutions, it’s unsure if a resolution will be drafted in the Senate.
Senator Joe Manchin affirmed his support of the protection of their freedoms to unionize and was quoted stating that if there is unfair treatment going on, it was time to deal with it and handle it.
While he’s mentioned his support for unionization, many are unsure whether he would show support for unionization on Capitol Hill.
