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Congressman Veasey Stands Up for Workers Rights

May 8, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, Congressman Marc Veasey voted against H.R. 1406, the Working Families Flexibility Act. This misnamed Republican-led bill would effectively end the 40 hour work week and take away workers’ right to overtime pay by permitting employers the ability to substitute overtime pay with comp time. This bill would more accurately be called the “More Work, Less Pay Act” and represents another Republican attack on pay and benefits for middle class families when the House should be considering legislation that will create jobs and strengthen the economy. In addition, under this bill, workers who need flexibility in the workplace are not guaranteed time off when they need it but at the employer’s choosing. More than 160 organizations – including the AFL-CIO, National Council of Women’s Organizations, and LULAC – in the Metroplex and across the country oppose the legislation.

“Republicans are at it again, attacking the Middle Class and undermining workers’ rights. This legislation is an affront on those who work hard to pay their bills and raise their families. There is nothing flexible about dodging overtime pay to a hard worker, refusing to allow mothers to care for their sick children or denying parents the opportunity to attend a parent-teacher conference,” said Congressman Veasey.

Congressman Veasey is a strong supporter of worker rights and has cosponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act and the Fair Minimum Wage Act – legislation that would help close the wage gap and raise the minimum wage.