TAKE ACTION: Demand the U.S. DOL stop employers from cheating workers out of wages and benefits

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Friend,

The Trump administration is, once again, siding with corporations over working families.

Did you see Heidi’s email below detailing how the Trump administration is trying to undermine the protections of working people throughout our country? Read the email then take a moment to send a comment to the Department of Labor demanding they reject this rule change that further-shifts the balance of power away from working people and toward the employer. ([link removed])

Thank you for all you do to fight for an economy that works for all of us, not just the wealthy few,

Eve Tahmincioglu
Director of Communications, Economic Policy Institute
SUBMIT A COMMENT ([link removed])
Tell the Department of Labor:

The Trump administration is attempting to make it even easier for employers to classify employees as independent contractors, cheating workers out of wages and benefits. Instead of protecting workers, the Department of Labor is doing the bidding of corporations.

Workers including construction workers, janitors, home care workers, and those deemed "essential workers" during the COVID-19 pandemic, who clean homes, care for children and elderly individuals, and deliver groceries must not be left to earn subminimum wages and work more than 40 hours per week without getting any overtime pay.
SUBMIT A COMMENT ([link removed])
Friend,

The Trump administration has introduced a proposed Labor Department rule change that would make it even easier for employers to classify workers as independent contractors, cheating their workers out of wages and benefits—including overtime pay.

This proposed rule change would give employers and corporations far more leeway in classifying their workers as independent contractors—allowing them to pay subminimum wages, hire child labor, avoid covering workers’ healthcare and more.

Sign if you agree! Join EPI and our national coalition to demand the Department of Labor reject this rule change which would undermine critical labor protections that took generations to build. ([link removed])

This proposed rule ignores the clear language of the Fair Labor Standards Act and decades of court rulings, including by the U.S. Supreme Court, and would hurt the very workers who have been organizing on the frontlines for better wages and more protections, including construction workers, janitors, home care workers, and those deemed "essential workers" during the COVID-19 pandemic, who clean homes, care for children and elderly individuals, and deliver groceries.

These workers must not be left to earn subminimum wages and work more than 40 hours per week without getting any overtime pay.

Submit an official comment today! Let's demand the Department of Labor reject this rule change that would unwind critical labor protections that took generations to build. Add your name to fight on behalf of working people throughout our country for better pay and economic security. ([link removed])

This Labor Department proposal sets the stage for a race to the bottom that could end with sweatshop conditions for many workers throughout our country. Together, we are going to unite our voices and demand the Trump administration preserve the labor protections that have taken decades to create.

The comment period for this rule change remains open until October 26th. Let's make it clear to the Labor Department that there is widespread opposition to this ill-considered scheme to cheat workers out of wages they deserve.

Through this proposed action by the Trump administration, employers can simply hand an independent contractor agreement to any worker seeking a job, forcing them to walk away from minimum wage, overtime, and child labor protections. That's not right. The Trump administration is, once again, siding with corporate executives and shareholders over working families. But together, we are going to get the Labor Department to reject this rule change.

Thank you for all you do to fight to lift up working families throughout our country.

Heidi Shierholz
Senior Economist and Director of Policy, Economic Policy Institute
SUBMIT A COMMENT ([link removed])

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