This House resolution expresses support for Black workers in the United States and calls for actions to reduce workplace inequality and discrimination. It notes historical and ongoing harms, including forced slave labor in the past and today’s higher unemployment, lower median weekly earnings, higher workplace injury rates, and workplace discrimination. The resolution cites data included in the text: at introduction the Black unemployment rate was 3 percentage points higher than the overall rate; in 2023 Black full-time workers earned 87 percent of the average full-time worker's median weekly earnings; and Black women earned 69 cents for every dollar paid to White, non-Hispanic men. The resolution also says Black workers are important to the labor movement and are more likely to be union members.
The resolution supports the right to fair wages, safe working conditions, collective bargaining, and protection from discrimination. It endorses passage of specific federal measures named in the text: the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, the National Apprenticeship Act, the Raise the Wage Act, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It also supports expanding apprenticeships, preapprenticeships, and a range of affordable education and training options.
The resolution is a formal statement by the House that supports reducing gaps in pay and employment and improving training and workplace protections for Black workers. It asks Congress to pass the named laws and to expand job training and education options. The resolution itself does not change law; it expresses the House's position and urges legislative action.
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Supporters say Black workers have been essential to the nation’s economy and still face higher unemployment, lower wages, more workplace injuries, and workplace discrimination. They back expanding apprenticeships and making education and job training more affordable and accessible. They argue for laws that protect organizing rights, raise wages, and invest in workforce programs to close wage and employment gaps.
No publicly available information.