J.D. Vance slammed for announcement seen as 'attacking workers' right to organize'

David McAfee
October 12, 2024 

Sen. J.D. Vance (Photo by Jeff Kowalsky for AFP)

J.D. Vance on Saturday was criticized heavily for an announcement that many saw as a condemnation of the rights of U.S. workers.

Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee and U.S. Senator, attended a rally in Pennsylvania in which he was ridiculed after his answer about a question regarding the Jan. 6 riot on the Capitol.

Another answer that caught attention of labor unions was about a bill for workers' rights.

Specifically, Vance was asked about the PRO Act, which would enable workers to unionize without fear of being fired.

"You asked about the PRO act. The problem with the PRO act is that in some ways it doubles down on a lot of the failed things that we have done, instead of looking at American labor policy as something that's going to be better for the 21st century than it was in the 20th century," Vance replied.

The official presidential campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris took to social media, saying, "J.D. Vance announces he and Trump oppose the PRO Act, a bill that would strengthen the power of workers to organize and collectively bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions."

The Harris campaign also shared a video of Harris in which she vows to "pass the PRO Act and end union-busting once and for all."

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, the largest federation of unions in the U.S., said, "If Donald Trump and J.D. Vance were pro-worker, they would support the PRO Act, the labor movement’s landmark bill to make it easier to form and join a union."

"But instead, they oppose it. Trump and Vance don’t care about unions and they don’t care about working people," the group added.

The Laborers’ International Union of North America, Eastern region, also chimed in:

"Surprise surprise, [Vance] announces he and [Trump] oppose the [PRO Act]. TRUMP IS A [SCAB]!" the group said. "You know who DOES support the PRO Act? [Harris]. VOTE with your Union book, brothers and sisters."

North Shore AFL-CIO in Ohio said, "Anti-PRO Act Donald Trump and JD Vance don’t belong anywhere near the White House."


Harris spokesperson Joseph Costello said, "J.D. Vance attacks workers' right to organize."

"He and Trump stand firmly with billionaires and corporations," Costello added.


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