Representative Rick Allen from Georgia has introduced a new bill aimed at reforming labor unions and enhancing workers’ rights. The Employee Rights Act (ERA) of 2025, unveiled on Thursday, seeks to give workers more control over their relationship with unions and improve transparency within the labor system.
Allen argues that this legislation will protect the privacy of unionized workers. It will allow them to choose whether they want their personal information shared with their unions and whether they want to be represented by a union in right-to-work states. Workers will also have the option to decide if they want to contribute to union political spending, rather than being automatically enrolled.
In collaboration with F. Vincent Vernuccio, the president of the Institute for the American Worker, Allen published an op-ed explaining the goals of the bill. He emphasized the need for Congress to modernize labor laws to better serve the working class in today’s economy.
The ERA aims to eliminate certain loopholes that can hinder unions from effectively representing their members. It seeks to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) provisions in collective bargaining agreements, ensuring fair treatment for all workers. Additionally, it will address issues of violence and extortion related to union activities, ensuring such acts are prosecuted under federal law.
Allen also hopes to reform the National Labor Relations Board, which has faced criticism for regulations that some say negatively affect both unionized and non-unionized workers. The bill proposes adjustments to the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, which established the right for citizens to organize and bargain collectively.
Support for the Employee Rights Act has been strong among Republicans in both the House and Senate, as well as among many Americans. Allen believes that with the current GOP majority in Congress and the White House, the bill deserves prompt consideration. He noted that President Donald Trump is already making strides for working Americans, and he believes that empowering workers through this legislation will benefit future generations.