MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A group of Vermont lawmakers called Tuesday for a new ‘‘bill of economic rights,’’ including a significantly higher minimum wage, guaranteed paid sick days and a requirement that employers have just cause before firing anyone.
‘‘bill of economic rights’’
higher minimum wage
guaranteed paid sick days
employers have just cause before firing anyone
The Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party with its super-majority could, and should:
1. Rescind and repeal "At-will hiring and At-will firing;" replacing it with "just cause" legislation.
2. Raise the Minimum Wage to a real living wage tied to all cost-of-living factors; indexed to inflation with periodic increases to provide improved living standards.
3. Pass legislation prohibiting employer lockouts and scabbing.
4. Guaranteed paid sick days for all workers.
These are very minimal, basic and fundamental reforms workers have a right to expect from the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party in return for the votes workers provided them.
On a national level workers are entitled to:
1. A real living--- non-poverty--- Minimum Wage.
2. Full employment legislation; jobs at real living wages for everyone who wants to work.
3. The Basic Income Guarantee providing a non-poverty real living income as recommended by Tom Paine in 1798... this is long past due.
4. Four week paid vacation for all workers.
5. A 36 hour work week with 40 hours pay.
Workers are entitled to these reforms in return for their votes.
All of this should be included in a "21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity" which would include government funded job creating programs to put all unemployed people to work... WPA, CCC, CETA, a National Public Health Care System, a National Public Child Care System.
Create jobs putting people to work solving the problems of the people.
Putting the needs of the people first should be easier than getting into war after war.
These dirty imperialist wars are killing our jobs the same way they are killing people.
These wars are making us all poor.
What Obama and these Democrats say mean absolutely nothing. They have played us for suckers and fools using "bait and switch." They promise one thing to get elected and they legislate depending how the corporate lobbyists bribe them.
--
Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council
58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell: 651-587-5541