Rep. Cleaver Announces Support for Unionization Efforts by Congressional Workers

(Kansas City, MO) – This week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced his support for H.Res. 915, a resolution led by Congressman Andy Levin (D-MI) that would officially recognize congressional workers' right to organize. Cleaver joined 130 colleagues in the House of Representatives last week to co-introduce the resolution, which now has more than 140 cosponsors.

"As a lifelong supporter of labor and every American worker's right to unionize, if congressional workers are leading an effort to organize for the workplace protections they deserve, you better believe I'm going to support it," said Congressman Cleaver. "Congressional workers are essential to good governance and the work we do as Members of Congress—yet they have little say in their working conditions on Capitol Hill. At a moment when workers across the country are realizing the power of solidarity and collective bargaining, I'm incredibly proud of those who are leading the effort to level the playing field for congressional workers—and I hope it will inspire workers across the country to come together and ensure they have a seat at the table in their own workplace."

Twenty-six years ago, Congress laid the groundwork for this critical step with the passage of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. Shortly thereafter, the Office of Compliance and Workplace Rights ruled that passage of a resolution recognizing workers' right to organize was the only thing keeping congressional workers from officially unionizing. H.Res. 915 would take that final step, allowing congressional workers in the House of Representatives to officially form a union.

The Congressional Progressive Staff Association recently released survey results finding that 91% of Congressional Staff wanted a say in workplace protections.

Official text of H.Res. 915 is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.