State battles roundup: Workers win some, lose some in recently ended legislative sessions

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State BattlesIn many states, legislative sessions have ended recently or are about to end and local governments are often active year-round. This means tons of legislation, both good and bad, is moving, providing opportunities for working families and their allies to pass laws that will help make people’s lives easier or stop laws that will make things worse.

Here is a look at the good, the bad and the ugly of some of the key state battles:

INDIANA

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed a series of anti-worker bills, including a repeal of the prevailing wage for construction and the prohibition of local governments from establishing their own local prevailing wage laws, a law that both weakens wage theft rules and allows companies to charge employees up to five percent of their salary for required uniforms and equipment, the undermining of teachers’ voices on the job, and others.

MASSACHUSETTS

The Boston City Council unanimously passed a new ordinance providing for up to six weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child for certain city employees.

MINNESOTA

The Minneapolis City Council passed a measure that will allow city workers to earn up to three weeks of paid parental leave. The plan goes into effect in July.

MISSOURI

Meanwhile, here in the Show Me State, extreme members of the Legislature used a procedural move to get past a filibuster and ram through right-to-work legislation. Gov. Jay Nixon (D) has indicated he will veto the measure (HB 116) when it gets to his desk.

NEW JERSEY

Two union members won local elections in the Garden State, bringing to 817 the number of candidates to graduate from the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Labor Candidates program and win election to office.

John Amodeo of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 825 won a seat on the Margate City Commission and Harry Kumburis of IUOE Local 68 was elected to the Cedar Grove Township Council.

NEW MEXICO

The Albuquerque City Council passed an equal pay measure that provides incentives for companies that offer equal wages to both female and male employees.

(AFL-CIO Now)

 

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