US Department of Labor announces release of White House Task Force report on promoting worker organizing, collective bargaining

WASHINGTON – The White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment today released its report which details nearly 70 recommendations – approved by President Biden – that promote worker organizing and collective bargaining for public and private sector employees.  

Comprised of more than 20 participant agencies, offices and White House components, the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment is tasked with identifying executive branch policies, practices and programs that could be used – consistent with applicable law – to promote the Biden-Harris administration’s policy of support for worker power, worker organizing and collective bargaining.

The U.S. Department of Labor will work across agencies to implement the task force’s recommendations, including the following:

• Ensuring workers know their organizing and bargaining rights.
• Protecting workers who face illegal retaliation when they organize and stand up for workplace rights.
• Establishing a resource center on unions and collective bargaining.
• Shedding light on employer’s use of anti-union consultants.
• Collecting and reporting more information on unions and their role in the U.S. economy.
• Advancing equity across underserved communities by supporting worker organizing and collective bargaining.

“The U.S. Department of Labor will play a critical role in helping the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment to achieve its mission. Workers today are demanding more from their jobs, and we know the freedom to exercise their right to collective bargaining is a key component of our efforts to improve working conditions across the economy,” said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh.

“The report’s recommendations put the federal government’s policy of encouraging worker organizing and collective bargaining front and center, and empowers workers to build a stronger economy and better quality of life for them and their families,” the Secretary added.

On April 26, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order on Worker Organizing and Empowerment that established the task force and appointed Vice President Kamala Harris to serve as its Chair and Secretary Walsh – a longtime trade union member and leader – as Vice Chair.

The task force’s recommendations position the federal government to be a model actor by activating federal authority to support worker empowerment. The task force will submit its second report in six months.

Read the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment Workers’ full report.