Donald Trump and his vice-presidential pick JD Vance have been vocal about their support for American workers. However, an analysis of the labor section of Project 2025 – a comprehensive right-wing blueprint for the next Republican presidency – reveals a stark contrast to their pro-worker claims.
Project 2025’s Impact on Workers
Project 2025, crafted by the Heritage Foundation with significant input from Trump allies, proposes numerous measures that undermine labor rights and prioritize corporate profits. Despite Trump distancing himself from some of the project’s more extreme recommendations, political analysts predict that a Trump administration would likely pursue many of these policies if he is elected in November.
Overtime Pay and Public Sector Unions
One of the most concerning aspects of Project 2025 is its approach to overtime pay. The plan suggests altering overtime regulations so that workers only qualify for overtime if they exceed 80 hours over two weeks, rather than the current 40-hour weekly threshold. This change could significantly reduce the income of many workers who rely on overtime pay.
The project also targets public sector unions, proposing the abolition of all government employee unions, including those representing police, firefighters, and teachers. This move is seen as an outright attack on the rights of government employees to organize and advocate for better working conditions.
Anti-Union Provisions
Project 2025 is filled with recommendations to weaken labor unions. It proposes banning card check, a vital tool for union organization, and making it easier for workers to decertify unions. Additionally, the plan calls for prohibiting project labor agreements, which are used to ensure smooth labor relations on large construction projects.
The plan also seeks to repeal the Persuader Rule, which mandates employers disclose their use of anti-union consultants, and to prevent the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from designating companies like McDonald’s and Burger King as joint employers. This change would make it harder for fast-food workers to unionize and hold corporate entities accountable for labor violations.
Child Labor and Gig Workers
Project 2025 controversially recommends allowing teenagers to work in more dangerous jobs, a move that has drawn criticism for prioritizing corporate needs over worker safety. The plan also aims to reclassify gig workers, such as Uber and Lyft drivers, as independent contractors rather than employees. This reclassification would exempt these workers from minimum wage and overtime protections, further reducing their earnings and benefits.
Corporate Benefits Over Worker Rights
Many of the project’s proposals are designed to cut labor costs for corporations. For example, it suggests allowing workers to choose compensatory time instead of overtime pay, a measure critics argue could lead to worker exploitation. The plan also calls for repealing the Davis-Bacon Act, which ensures fair wages for workers on public works projects, thereby reducing construction wages.
Cultural and Ideological Battles
Project 2025’s labor chapter begins with a religious “mission statement” and quickly moves into culture war territory. It attacks diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, critical race theory, and protections for LGBTQ+ workers. The plan also opposes raising the federal minimum wage and offering paid family and medical leave, despite widespread public support for these measures.
Reaction from Labor Leaders
Labor leaders have condemned Project 2025. Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, highlighted the plan’s extensive measures to roll back workers’ rights. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, criticized Trump’s record on labor, stating that Project 2025 would amplify the worst aspects of his previous policies.
