Jobs and the Workforce
As a lifelong owner of a union printing business, a staunch defender of worker's rights, and a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor, I believe Congress has a responsibility to take proactive and commonsense measures that can provide business owners with certainty, promote economic growth, and create jobs for Wisconsinites. Additionally, I am the co-founder of the Congressional Labor Caucus, which was established to advance the needs of the labor movement, combat the issues facing working families, and connect legislators directly with unions and union leaders.
I am a strong proponent of raising the federal minimum wage and protecting workers' rights to organize through the PRO Act. Everyone deserves dignity in the workplace.
More on Jobs and the Workforce
MADISON, WI. – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after visiting several local cooperative businesses to promote the benefits of this business model and raise awareness of the Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Richard Hanna (R-NY) led a bipartisan letter to President Obama urging him to direct all federal agencies to prohibit discrimination in federal government contracting and subcontracting based on the sexual orientation or gender identity of the business owner.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) led a letter to Volkswagen Group of America President and CEO Christian Koch and Executive Vice President of Human Resources Sebastian Pata expressing disappointment in the company’s refusal to bargain with the skilled trades employees at the Chattanooga plant who voted overwhelmingly for a union.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), a member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, introduced the Leveraging Effective Apprenticeships to Rebuild National Skills (LEARNS) Act. The LEARNS Act would increase the number of highly skilled workers in the United States and ensures the registered apprenticeship program is an effective earn-and-learn model for students, workers, and employers.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) tentative decision to allow Norwegian Air International to operate flights to the United States.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement in support of the nearly 40,000 Verizon workers from Massachusetts to Virginia poised to strike tomorrow for a fair contract.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court delivered its decision in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, affirming the rights of teachers and other public sector employees to have a seat at the table and the ability to strengthen their profession through union representation. The 4-4 ruling upholds the lower court’s decision and allows the 1976 Abood v. Detroit Board of Education decision to remain precedent.
Madison, WI– U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) requested a meeting with the Kraft Heinz CEO after a confusing conversation with a Kraft Heinz representative in DC following the announcement. On Wednesday, Kraft Heinz announced it was shutting down the Oscar Mayer plant and headquarters, which has employed hundreds of Wisconsinites for nearly 100 years.
Washington, D.C - U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) provided the following statement after the Administration released the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership at 4:00am today:
Madison, WI– U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) released the following statement after Oscar Mayer announced it was closing the company's plant and corporate headquarters resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs:
"This is a devastating blow for the Oscar Mayer workers, their families and our local economy. Oscar Mayer was a source of good paying jobs and a valuable asset to Dane County. I am deeply concerned for the hundreds of employees and their families who have just found out they can no longer expect to come to work at this facility as they have for many years now.