Proposed legislation would allow local governments to set minimum wage, family and medical leave.
Assembly Democrats announced the introduction of a “Workers First” package of proposals “to ensure every worker has access to fair wages, good benefits, workplace protections, and a high quality of life.”
The package includes legislation that would allow local governments to enact laws and ordinances relating to wage claims, employee hours, overtime, and scheduling of employee work hours and shifts.
The “Workers First” package also includes legislation that would allow local governments to:
· Enact local minimum laws and ordinances.
· Enact local family and medical leave laws and ordinances.
· Repeal Wisconsin’s Right to Work law.
· Restore the states prevailing wage law.
Current law prohibits a city, village, town or county from enacting and administering ordinances establishing minimum wage rates, family and medical leave, and regulating employee work hours.
Senator Chris Larson (Milwaukee) and Representative Francesca Hong (Madison) are the lead sponsors of a proposal that would eliminate the tipped minimum wage for workers in Wisconsin, ensuring, according to the bill’s authors, all tipped employees are subject o the same minimum wage as other workers.
Representative Hon believes “eliminating the tipped minimum wage is a step toward economic justice, and a stride toward dignity and stability in the workplace.”
The authors argue businesses will have less employee turnover due to their workers having greater financial security, improved productivity, and performance from a more experienced workforce.
