05.18.2016

NEW YORK – In response to the Labor Department’s announcement of new eligibility rules that allow millions to access pay for overtime, the Fair Workweek Initiative applauded the administration and said the victory underlines the growing power of a movement for a fair workweek.

Carrie Gleason, Director of the Fair Workweek Initiative at Center for Popular Democracy, released the following statement:

“We are encouraged to see the Obama administration taking a stand to pay people fairly for the hours they work. Since our country first established wage and hour laws, we have known that pay is only half the equation - to truly give hardworking Americans a fair deal, we must pay attention to hours too. An honest day's work should be compensated fairly - and it's particularly true for working moms, who make up a growing slice of the American workforce and face undue barriers to financial security.

This fix to our country's outdated overtime rule is an important step forward to opening the path to opportunity. The leadership of hardworking women has helped win this long-overdue work-hours victory, and we will continue the fight for fair workweeks that respect working peoples' time in states and cities across the country.” 

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www.fairworkweek.org

The Fair Workweek Initiative, anchored by the Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action, is driving the growing momentum to restore a workweek that enables working families to thrive.

www.populardemocracy.org

The Center for Popular Democracy promotes equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. CPD builds the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial justice agenda.

Contact:

Asya Pikovsky, apikovsky@populardemocracy.org, 207-522-2442