S. Anne Marie Archer

Oct 206 min read

Project 2025’s Assault on American Labor Rights

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is important to consult with legal professionals for guidance on specific legal matters. Results on engagements and online courses may vary, and a successful outcome is not guaranteed.

Project 2025, is not just any policy roadmap—it’s authored by The Heritage Foundation, a powerful conservative think tank with direct ties to the Republican Party and its 2024 presidential nominee. This initiative outlines a plan to reshape federal governance by dismantling key labor protections that American workers, particularly Black women and people of color, rely on. The close connection between The Heritage Foundation and the Republican candidate means that if elected, these proposals could become reality, threatening workers' rights across the country. Here’s how Project 2025 could affect you.

1. Weakening the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

OSHA is responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards. Its mission is to protect workers from unsafe working conditions by ensuring that employers follow regulations designed to prevent injuries and fatalities. Project 2025 advocates for significantly weakening OSHA’s authority, claiming that overregulation harms businesses. In reality, this would make it harder for OSHA to enforce penalties or take swift action when employers violate safety rules. This is especially dangerous for industries where Black women are overrepresented, such as healthcare and service sectors, where safety violations can result in serious harm. Rolling back these protections could mean more hazardous working environments, with fewer consequences for negligent employers.

2. Dismantling the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

The EEOC plays a pivotal role in ensuring that employers comply with anti-discrimination laws. The agency enforces laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, and other protected categories in the workplace. By reducing funding and limiting its authority, Project 2025 aims to severely weaken the EEOC’s ability to investigate and resolve workplace discrimination cases. This would disproportionately affect Black employees, who already face higher rates of harassment, unequal pay, and unfair treatment in the workplace. The result? Fewer resources for victims to seek justice, leaving many without the necessary support to fight discriminatory practices.

3. Erosion of Union Rights through National 'Right to Work' Laws

The introduction of national "Right to Work" laws is another dangerous component of Project 2025. These laws allow employees to work in unionized workplaces without being required to join the union or pay union dues. While this may sound appealing, it significantly weakens unions by reducing their ability to fund collective bargaining efforts. Unions have historically been essential for advocating for marginalized workers, particularly Black women, by securing fair wages, benefits, and protections against workplace discrimination. Under Project 2025, the diminished power of unions could lead to fewer protections, worse working conditions, and weaker wage negotiations for Black women and other vulnerable groups.

4. Rolling Back Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Protections

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets essential workplace protections, including the minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor laws. Project 2025 proposes 'modernizing' labor laws by loosening these protections, potentially leading to reduced eligibility for overtime pay and creating more loopholes for employers to misclassify workers as independent contractors. This would be devastating for Black women, many of whom are employed in low-wage or hourly jobs where overtime pay is crucial for supporting their families. By undermining the FLSA, Project 2025 threatens to make it easier for employers to exploit workers and deny them fair compensation.

I explained the importance of the FLSA in this blog post here.

5. Elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are designed to address systemic discrimination and ensure that workplaces are more inclusive for marginalized groups. Project 2025 dismisses these programs as divisive, advocating for their elimination at the federal level. Without DEI initiatives, Black women will face even greater challenges in advancing into leadership roles and securing equal opportunities in the workplace. The removal of these programs would also erase years of progress in addressing racial and gender disparities in hiring, promotions, and workplace culture.

6. Further Deregulation of Employer Obligations

Beyond targeting specific agencies, Project 2025 seeks to broadly deregulate employer obligations, claiming that federal oversight stifles economic growth. This deregulatory agenda would weaken the government’s ability to enforce labor laws, leaving employees—especially those in vulnerable positions—without the necessary legal protections. For Black women and people of color, this would exacerbate existing inequities in the workplace, creating environments where employers face fewer consequences for exploiting workers, engaging in discriminatory practices, or creating unsafe working conditions.

What You Can Do

The most powerful way to fight against Project 2025 is by making your voice heard in the upcoming election on November 5, 2024. By voting for candidates who are committed to protecting labor rights, workplace safety, and equality, we can ensure that these harmful proposals are stopped.

Here’s how you can take action:

1. Register to Vote

Make sure you're registered to vote by visiting Vote.gov or Whenweallvote.org

Encourage your friends, family, and community to do the same.

2. Research the Candidates

It’s crucial to support candidates who will prioritize protecting workers’ rights, including maintaining the authority of OSHA, and the EEOC, and ensuring that DEI programs remain in place. Learn where the candidates in your district stand on these issues and vote accordingly.

3. Spread the Word

Share this blog post, start conversations with your network, and discuss how Project 2025 threatens the rights of workers across America. Use social media, email, and other platforms to inform others and rally support for labor rights.

Conclusion

Project 2025 represents a direct attack on labor rights in America. By dismantling critical agencies like OSHA and the EEOC, undermining unions, and eliminating DEI programs, it puts the most vulnerable workers—especially Black women—at risk. The stakes are high, but we have the power to stop these changes by voting in the November 5, 2024 election. Visit Vote.org for more information on registering and ensuring your vote counts. Together, we can protect workplace rights and continue to push for fairness, safety, and equality.

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