John,
Black Friday is here — the busiest shopping day of the year. It’s known as “Black” Friday because it’s the first day of the year many retailers bring in enough sales to move their bottom lines out of the “red.” When workers get paid well, they can help support the entire economy to move from the red, into the black.
As the cost of living keeps rising, we find ourselves in the midst of an affordability crisis. Working people across the political spectrum need real solutions to access basics like groceries and healthcare. This is the time for Democrats in Congress to build bipartisan solutions to raise wages and expand workers’ rights.
Send a message to your Senators and Representative to urge them to pass existing legislation to help working families across the country.
The Congressional Labor Caucus has identified and endorsed several promising pieces of legislation that will directly promote affordability for American families:
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The Raise the Wage Act: This bill will raise the federal minimum wage to $17 by 2030. It will also end the subminimum wage, leveling the playing field for all workers, including those who receive tips and those with disabilities.
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The Protected Time Off Act: Employers will be required to provide their employees with paid leave.
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The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act: This bill ensures that domestic employees will receive minimum wage and maximum hour protections, along with sick leave and anti-discrimination provisions.
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The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act: This bill strengthens workers’ power to form unions and engage in collective bargaining for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.
This is the time to push our representatives in both houses of Congress to confront the affordability crisis head on. Lawmakers who are seen actively working to help Americans build constructive and effective lives will be rewarded at the ballot box.
Send a message to your Congresspeople: Address the affordability crisis and help working families by passing the Raise the Wage Act, the Protected Time Off Act, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act, and the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
In the midst of this Black Friday madness, let’s be sure to thank all the workers who take care of us today and every day of the year.
Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action
