U.S. House vote on employee bargaining met with ‘political theater’ criticism

)The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman praised a vote to restore collective bargaining for over one million federal workers while critics say the U.S. Senate won’t pass the Protect American Workers Act.

In a video posted to social media, Illinois U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, said the House approved a measure that would rescind President Donald Trump’s executive order affecting more than one million federal workers, including employees at the Rock Island Arsenal in western Illinois.

“Republicans crossed the aisle to vote with Democrats on this important issue,” Sorensen said. “We both realized that the president’s order was a slap in the face to public servants who deserve to have their voices heard. It cut right at the fundamental right for workers to organize for fair wages and safe working conditions.”

Critics say the “worker rights” rhetoric masks the real issue, whether unions should have mandatory bargaining power over federal agencies, wi...