Sponsors (3)
The bill increases states' flexibility to concentrate WIOA funding and expands formal recognition of labor organizations — improving access and administrative clarity for some workers and unions, while risking reduced resources for other participants, greater employer obligations, and legal/administrative uncertainty.
State workforce development boards can allocate up to 30% (instead of 20%) to the specified program, enabling more funding for job training and employment services for workers who need it.
Public employees, railroad, and agricultural workers (and their unions) are explicitly recognized as labor organizations under WIOA, improving their access to WIOA programs and enabling collective organizations to participate in workforce planning and grants.
The Department of Labor would have a clearer, NLRA-harmonized definition of 'labor organization', reducing legal uncertainty and standardizing administration of WIOA programs involving labor groups.
Unemployed workers and other WIOA participant groups could see reduced funding, services, or slots because raising the allocation cap to 30% shifts dollars away from other WIOA activities and populations.
Employers (including federal, state/local, rail, and agricultural employers) may face expanded engagement or bargaining-related obligations and increased administrative costs, along with greater legal uncertainty and potential litigation.
Broader inclusion of labor organizations may invite greater union influence over WIOA-funded program and grant design, shifting program priorities toward union-driven approaches and changing how services are delivered.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Raises a WIOA statutory percentage from 20% to 30%, expands the definition of “labor organization” to include union federations and groups previously excluded, and makes an unspecified edit to another WIOA clause.
Establishes an official short title, raises a WIOA statutory percentage from 20% to 30% for a provision that governs allocations/limits affecting State workforce development boards, makes an unspecified edit to another WIOA clause, and expands the statutory definition of “labor organization” to explicitly include union federations and groups otherwise excluded solely because they represent federal employees, Railway Labor Act employees, or agricultural laborers. The changes would shift how WIOA-related allocations or caps operate and broaden which labor groups are recognized under WIOA, with administrative and legal implications for state and local workforce boards, labor organizations, employers, and program participants.
Introduced January 20, 2025 by Mikie Sherrill · Last progress January 20, 2025