Evans Introduces Resolution Pushing to End Inequalities for Black Workers

WASHINGTON (Feb. 28, 2023) – Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd) has introduced a resolution to honor Black workers and calling on the U.S. House of Representatives to pursue legislation to end inequalities facing Black workers and to support the right for workers of all backgrounds to good working conditions and protection from discrimination.

"As we mark the end of Black History Month, we must remember that Black history is American history all year long, and that the need to end inequalities facing Black workers in America will continue past February 28 as well," Evans said.

"Black workers continue to experience higher unemployment rates, lower compensation, more dangerous conditions, lower economic mobility, and higher rates of discrimination and workplace harassment compared to their non-Black colleagues," Evans said.

"For the greater U.S. economy to be successful, it is imperative that Black workers continue to see improvements in working conditions and compensation. And it is important that the House of Representatives supports a pro-worker agenda that includes efforts to end the disparities and inequalities experienced by Black workers."

Evans' resolution is co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Nanette Díaz Barragán, Suzanne Bonamici, Jamaal Bowman, Brendan Boyle, Shontel Brown, André Carson, Troy A. Carter Sr., Yvette Clarke, Danny Davis, Chris Deluzio, Lloyd Doggett, Chuy García, Glenn Ivey, Jonathan Jackson, Hank Johnson Jr., Jared Moskowitz, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Donald Payne Jr., Jan Schakowsky, Terri Sewell, Bennie Thompson, Rashida Tlaib, Marc Veasey, Nydia Velázquez and Bonnie Watson Coleman. In addition, the AFL-CIO and the Urban League have endorsed the resolution.

Evans represents the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Northwest and West Philadelphia and parts of North, South, Southwest and Center City Philadelphia.

During Evans' first six years in Congress, his office has helped to return to or save more than $25 million for Philadelphians from federal agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs. His website is evans.house.gov and his social media handle is @RepDwightEvans on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The text of Evans' resolution is:

Whereas a competitive economy for the United States requires the participation of a robust Black workforce;

Whereas unjust Black labor, first through forced slave labor, and later through dangerous, under-compensated, and sometimes abusive employment, has been essential to the historic success of the American economy;

Whereas the Black unemployment rate is consistently higher than the overall U.S. unemployment rate, with the Black unemployment rate at the time of this resolution's introduction being 2 percentage points higher than overall unemployment^[1];

Whereas full-time Black workers' median weekly earnings historically lag behind the total average median weekly earnings, and as of 2022, Black workers take home only 82.6% of average full-time workers' median weekly earnings^[2];

Whereas graduation from high school and higher education institutions are directly correlated with higher incomes and stronger job security, and Black Americans lag in completion of higher education, in part due to systemic racism within America's school systems;

Whereas many states continue to have insufficient labor standards, low minimum wages, harmful right-to-work laws, inadequate unemployment systems, and a lack of state-level protections against discrimination, all of which hurt Black workers and families;

Whereas Black workers have made up a proportionately large share of frontline workers and essential workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic;

Whereas Black workers face a higher likelihood of fatal and non-fatal injuries in the workplace compared to injury rates for all workers^[3];

Whereas studies show that a significant percentage of Black workers continue to face discrimination or harassment in the workplace on account of their race or ethnicity^[4], resulting in decreased safety in the workplace, and disadvantages to economic mobility for Black workers;

Whereas Black workers are more likely to be union members than non-Black workers^[5], and have long been important participants in the American labor movement and the fight for better conditions, more just compensation, and the right to organize;

Whereas Black women are disproportionately affected by the same issues that affect Black men in the workforce, including making only 63 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men and having higher unemployment rates than Black men^[6];

Whereas expanding apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships must be part of any strategy to build careers for Black youths, as apprentice and pre-apprentice programs have proven to be a practical and efficient method for high school and college students to improve personal economic outlooks^[7];

Whereas educational opportunities for Black youths should encompass a broad range of options to fit the diverse needs of young people entering the workforce, including making vocational and trade schools, technical colleges, higher education institutions, community colleges, job training programs, apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, and work-study programs more affordable and accessible;

Resolved, that the House of Representatives –

(1) supports efforts to reduce inequalities facing the Black workforce, including closing the wage gap, closing the unemployment gap, and improving access to job training programs, career skills building programs, and educational opportunities;

(2) supports the right of every American worker, regardless of race or ethnicity, to fair wages, safe working conditions, collective bargaining and organizing rights, and protection from discrimination;

(3) supports the passage of legislation that would improve labor conditions for Black workers, including:

(a) the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act

(b) the National Apprenticeship Act

(c) the Raise the Wage Act

(d) the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

(4) recognizes the historical and contemporary importance of the Black workforce to American prosperity and national economic security, and recognizes the need to improve economic opportunity for Black workers as necessary for both individual well-being and the well-being of the nation.

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