AFL-CIO Chief Warns Rejection of PRO Act Could Cost Kyrsten Sinema

 AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, who took the helm of the labor confederation earlier this month following the recent death of Richard Trumka, issued a clear warning Tuesday to conservative Democrats like Sen. Kyrsten Sinema: support the elimination of the filibuster and the Democrats' sweeping pro-union legislation, or risk losing crucial funding and votes from organized workers. 

 

With Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) now reportedly planning to support the Richard L. Trumka PRO Act, Democrats have 49 votes that they can count on to pass the Richard L. Trumka PRO Act, which would ban right-to-work laws, prevent private employers from sabotaging unionizing efforts through intimidation and other anti-worker tactics, and take other steps to make it easier for employees to organize their workplaces. The party is pushing for the support of Sinema and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). 

 

Sinema is now the only Democratic holdout regarding the legislation, which passed in the House in March. The Arizona senator has also garnered condemnation from progressives for her opposition to eliminating the legislative filibuster, which requires 60 votes to pass a bill in the Senate rather than a simple majority.

 

Shuler on Tuesday warned that the Arizona Democrat, who won't face reelection until 2024, could lose funding from the labor movement if she stands in the way of passing the pro-union bill. Sinema has taken more than $971,000 from labor groups during her political career.

 

At least one progressive group is reportedly searching for potential primary challengers to take on Sinema.

 

According to a survey taken last month by progressive think tank Data for Progress, two-thirds of Arizona voters said they would not support Sinema for reelection if she doesn't change her hard-line stance on the filibuster. Sixty-five percent of Sinema's constituents also support passing the PRO Act, according to the same poll. 

 

While the AFL-CIO and other progressives are ramping up pressure on Sinema, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce expressed its approval of the senator's stance on Monday, holding a press conference to thank her for not cosponsoring the legislation and claiming that "all sectors of the economy would be at risk" if it passes.

 

Belén Sisa, Arizona campaign manager for Democracy Initiative and former national Latino press secretary for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), applauded Shuler for her clear message for Sinema.

 

"We will not back off on Sen. Sinema," said Sisa. "It's time to turn the pressure up."