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this post was submitted on 06 Feb 2024
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Work Reform
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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.
Our Philosophies:
- All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
- Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
- Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
- We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.
Our Goals
- Higher wages for underpaid workers.
- Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
- Better and fewer working hours.
- Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
- Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.
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The rules are intentionally vague and information is intentionally not easily available. Additionally, many workers are not in a position to claim their rights because they are living paycheck to paycheck and legal processes are expensive and last very long.
Most people don't know that literally all you have to do is tell the government about the issue and they will spend the money to look into it themselves, as well as dealing with the court cases. It's why the department of labor exists
In my state you can file a claim with the state labor commission. But they don't have the resources to investigate "small" reports and their website encourages you to just hire your own lawyer.
It's fascinating the imbalance, if you take $20 from your employer's till that's a crime, they can call 911 and within minutes police can respond and take the money back and possibly arrest you. You could have a criminal record that negatively effects your life for many years.
Your employer shorts your paycheck $2000 and it's a 'civil matter', the police won't even take your report. Instead you must file a claim with an understaffed beaucratic office that may not even open your email much less recover your money. If any recovery happens it will certainly take many, many months so hopefully you don't have bills due this month! The employer is free to continue stealing from your paycheck and anyone else's paychecks and is unlikely to face any meaningful consequences.
Unless your local government is the one commiting wage theft.
God bless America...
The employee does not pay a dime to fight labor issues. State have their own Department of Labor for that.
I hope you never have to experience how hard it can be to actually get your money. And as I said, even if there is a case it can take a very long time before you see any money. For someone living paycheck to paycheck this can mean losing their house. Put the risk of losing your job for making a case on top of that (employment at will). I understand completely why many workers don’t do it. The system is made to work against them.
So what you just told me is that in 25 states businesses can do whatever they want to their workers. This needs to be national, like the NLRB, and it needs teeth.