Action Alerts
Make your opinions known to decision-makers on issues of importance to you and 9 to 5 National Association of Working Women.
Updated: 5 min ago
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Wage Theft Prevention Act AB 469 (Swanson)
Wage theft is a widespread problem across the United States. In Calfironia, enforcement is weak and largely ineffective. Workers lose millions of dollars in unpaid overtime and minimum wage violations. Women, who are more likely to be working low-wage, part-time jobs, are most deeply affected. In 2009, only 216 employers in the entire state were cited by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for violating minimum wage and overtime laws.
Deadline for action: 9/6/2011.
Wage theft is a widespread problem across the United States. In Calfironia, enforcement is weak and largely ineffective. Workers lose millions of dollars in unpaid overtime and minimum wage violations. Women, who are more likely to be working low-wage, part-time jobs, are most deeply affected. In 2009, only 216 employers in the entire state were cited by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement for violating minimum wage and overtime laws.
Deadline for action: 9/6/2011.
Tell Your Senators to Support Wronged Workers!
Extend labor standards to independent contractors
An employer can claim that someone who works for them full-time is not an employee, but instead an independent contractor, and therefore deny those workers basic rights. Independent contractors are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act, which means they can be paid less than minimum wage, lack control over their work, and are denied the legal protection given to employees. The Department of Labor estimates that the number of workers misclassified as independent contractors jumped nearly 33% between 2000 and 2007 and the IRS estimates misclassifying workers costs the federal government $1.6 billion each year. The Payroll Fraud Prevention Act extends the protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act to independent contractors and requires employers to inform workers in writing of their status as employees or non-employees. It also increases the fine for employers misclassifying employees as independent contractors.
Deadline for action: 12/31/2011.
An employer can claim that someone who works for them full-time is not an employee, but instead an independent contractor, and therefore deny those workers basic rights. Independent contractors are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act, which means they can be paid less than minimum wage, lack control over their work, and are denied the legal protection given to employees. The Department of Labor estimates that the number of workers misclassified as independent contractors jumped nearly 33% between 2000 and 2007 and the IRS estimates misclassifying workers costs the federal government $1.6 billion each year. The Payroll Fraud Prevention Act extends the protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act to independent contractors and requires employers to inform workers in writing of their status as employees or non-employees. It also increases the fine for employers misclassifying employees as independent contractors.
Deadline for action: 12/31/2011.
Support Working Families with Paid Sick Days
Pass the Healthy Families Act!
Please urge your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators to support the Healthy Families Act. This important legislation would guarantee up to seven paid sick days per year for workers to recover from their own illness or care for a sick family member. Working people shouldn't be forced to risk their jobs to take care of themselves or their families. Yet, nearly half of all workers do not have a single paid sick day to care for themselves or a family member when they are ill. The Healthy Families Act will provide everyone the chance to stay home, and not have to choose between the families they love and the job they need.
Deadline for action: 12/31/2011.
Please urge your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators to support the Healthy Families Act. This important legislation would guarantee up to seven paid sick days per year for workers to recover from their own illness or care for a sick family member. Working people shouldn't be forced to risk their jobs to take care of themselves or their families. Yet, nearly half of all workers do not have a single paid sick day to care for themselves or a family member when they are ill. The Healthy Families Act will provide everyone the chance to stay home, and not have to choose between the families they love and the job they need.
Deadline for action: 12/31/2011.
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