On the recordMay 7, 2013
I thank the gentleman. Still, so many Americans are out of work that employers can get away with giving no raises at all. America is supposed to be about opportunity for all, not just the few. We're supposed to be about fair pay for hard work. I ask my colleagues to oppose the Republican More Work for Less Pay Act, and I would urge us to pay fair wages for a fair day's work. All you have to do is go to parts of the country where people's faces are worn. You'll see what's really happening out in the real America. Let's oppose this Republican bill and the rule. The bill gives employers the flexibility not to pay overtime to their workers; instead employees would be provided comp time. However, employers, not the employee, are provided the flexibility to decide when and even if comp time can be used. There is nothing in the legislation that guarantees that workers will be able to use the comp time they have earned when they need it. In fact, the bill permits the employer to deny a comp time request if the employee's use of comp time would unduly disrupt operations. Employers can even veto an employee's request to use comp time even in cases of urgent need under the legislation. If an employee does not accept comp time, they could be penalized with fewer hours, bad shifts, and loss of overtime hours.…
