Worker Organizing and Empowerment

Apr 29, 2021

Summary

Creates a task force to find ways for the government to help workers form unions and bargain together for better pay and working conditions.

What problem does this solve?

The number of workers in unions has been falling for years, which has weakened the power of workers and hurt the middle class. This order creates a special group to find ways the government can support workers who want to organize and bargain for better jobs.

What does this order do?

Establishes the Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment

Creates a new task force within the Executive Office of the President to find ways to promote union growth and worker power.

Appoints high-level government officials to the task force

Assigns the Vice President as the Chair and the Secretary of Labor as the Vice Chair, along with numerous other cabinet secretaries and agency heads.

Requires recommendations to help workers organize

Directs the task force to identify government policies and practices that can be used to encourage collective bargaining and make it easier for workers to form unions, especially for marginalized groups.

Revokes previous executive orders

Cancels Executive Orders 13845 and 13931, which had established the 'President's National Council for the American Worker' under the previous administration.

Who does this affect?

American workers
Labor unions
Employers

What is the real world impact?

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Strengthens the middle class

Aims to reverse the decline in union membership, which is linked to higher wages, better benefits, and greater job security. This helps rebuild and strengthen the American middle class by giving workers more power.

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Increases political support from labor unions

Shows strong support for labor unions, a key political group. By promoting policies that help unions grow, the administration can secure their backing. Businesses may oppose this, seeing it as government interference that favors unions.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately and requires the new task force to submit recommendations within 180 days.

Task force recommendations due

The Task Force must submit its recommendations for promoting worker organizing to the President within 180 days of April 26, 2021.