Mrvan Introduces the PRO-WORK Act to Prevent Companies that Lock Out Workers from Receiving Federal Funds

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan introduced the PRO-WORK (Preventing Revenue Opportunities for Workplace Lockouts and Retaliation) Act, which would prohibit corporations that lock out their workers from doing business with the federal government.

The PRO-WORK Act would prohibit an employer from receiving federal funds or tax credits because of a lockout. Specifically, federal funds would be withheld for a period equal to the duration of the lockout, and an employer would be ineligible to receive tax credits for the corresponding taxable year. If an employer engages in a subsequent lockout, the company would be ineligible for federal funds for one year and would be prohibited from receiving a tax credit during the following year.

Congressman Mrvan stated, "Members of organized labor built our region and are the backbone of our economy. International, off-shore companies cannot continue to disrespect American workers while benefitting from federal funding and tax credits. I am taking this action to prevent any company that locks out American workers from receiving our tax dollars."

Roxanne Brown, International President of the United Steelworkers stated, "When an employer locks out workers, refusing to let them on the job and depriving them of their paychecks and health insurance benefits in an attempt to extract concessions, it's not just the workers and their families who suffer - it's whole communities. Rep. Mrvan's much needed legislation would help balance the scales, prohibiting corporations that take these drastic and punitive measures from receiving federal money and benefiting off the backs of taxpayers they are actively hurting. Our union thanks Rep. Mrvan for continuing to stand behind working families and encourages congressional colleagues to do the same by supporting this bill."

Eric Schultz, President of USW Local 7-1 stated, "Our members know firsthand that a lockout doesn't stop at the workplace gate. It impacts workers, their families, local businesses, and entire communities. Corporations should not be able to inflict that kind of economic harm and then expect the same taxpayers they are hurting to help fund their bottom line. I want to thank Congressman Mrvan for standing with working families and for putting real consequences against companies that deprive working families of their income and livelihoods."

The full bill text of the PRO-WORK Act is available here.

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