Legislation Allowing Unionized Companies to Give Merit Raises Introduced in Congress

Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla) and Representative Todd Rokita (R-Ind.) introduced legislation in February that would let employers give merit pay increases or bonuses to workers covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Rewarding Achievement and Incentivizing Successful Employees (RAISE) Act would amend the National Labor Relations Act to provide that employers are not barred under collective bargaining agreements from “paying an employee in a bargaining unit greater wages, pay, or other compensation for, or by reason of, his or her services as an employee of such employer, than provided for in such contract or agreement.”

According to Sen. Rubio, “When America’s workers earn a raise because of their hard work, union bosses should not be able to block it as labor policy currently allows. The RAISE Act would bring greater fairness and opportunity to the modern workplace by giving American workers the freedom to earn more money for a job well done.”

Matt Austin is a lawyer based in the Columbus, Ohio office of Roetzel & Andress, LPA who limits his practice to representing employers dealing with labor, employment, and OSHA matters. You can call Matt at (614) 723-2010 or email him at maustin@ralaw.com.