Date: 2013-05-08
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman for his leadership. Mr. Speaker. youve seen them. many. many women. hourly workers. Youve seen them with their sneakers on. their rubbersoled shoes. standing at bus stops. getting on buses in order to get to work and to get back in time to be with their children. But those workers need cash. Mr. Speaker. They need cash to make ends meet in housing. food and other living expenses. Its also our men as well. These workers would see a substantial reduction in their takehome pay if they were compensated with time off rather than cash up front. We know that if H.R. 1406 was passed they would be paid nothing for their overtime work at the time they work. We also realize that employers can schedule workers to work up to 160 hours of comp time. Workers will be cheated out of the accrued overtime earnings. these same mothers and many. many men who depend on this overtime pay. Youve seen them. The same mothers that will receive for their gift on Mothers Day a little outstretched hand with maybe a daffodil or a rose in it from a little 5year old. mothers who need the cash. Let me tell you that the U.S. Womens Chamber of Commerce is against this legislation because they know that there will be preferential treatment. There will be pets. and the employers will pick those who have taken the comp time. Youve seen these mothers. They get the outstretched hand and the little flower. Pay them their money. This is a bad bill. Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong and unyielding opposition to H.R. 1406. the socalled "Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013." I thank Ranking Member MILLER for this opportunity to speak on behalf and in support of the working women and men in my District and against this terrible bill. which has been offered repeatedly over several Congresses. and each time it has found strong opposition and ultimate defeat. Under current law (the Fair Labor Standards Act). employers are required to pay workers timeandahalf cash for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. Workers can request "comp time" during any 40 hour work week if they need it. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the average weekly overtime hours for manufacturing workers in 2012 was 4.2 hours or over 44 hours a week. In a year 4.2 additional hours of overtime. considering 2 weeks for vacation would total 210 hours. A Boilermaker with less than 2 years of experience earns $35.856.00 a year or $18 an hour. A Boilermaker making $18 an hour working overtime would earn $27 an hour. In 2012 manufacturer workers overtime averaged 4.2 hours a week that would be 210 hours for 50 weeks of work. A Boilermaker over a year could accrue 210 hours in overtimeif this bill becomes law this could mean a loss of $5.670 annually. The first quarter of 2013 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded an increase of overtime hours worked to 4.3 hours per week for manufacturing jobs this is an increase over the last quarter of 2012. If Congress allows the free market to work then the numbers of employed persons will increase. Labor is in strong opposition to H.R. 1406 becausethis bill would mean forced labor hours without giving workers the guaranteed right to get paid for their work. Workers already have the right to ask for "comp time" within any 40 hour workweek when they need it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counts overtime as a benefit not as pay. If the result of the bill is to have employees work more hours. but without the guarantee of compensationit is flawed. If Congress wants to do something for workers we should support the Presidents Budget for state paid leave programs. His proposal would not force workers to choose between taking time off for family needs and receiving income. or even risk losing their jobs. The Presidents minimum wage proposal would also support working families by making sure that all workers receive enough hourly income to make ends meet. That is why I oppose H.R. 1406 and urge my colleagues to join me in voting against this terrible legislation.