Pressley, Schakowsky, DeLauro, Warren, Colleagues Introduce Legislation To Protect Part-Time Workers

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D- Conn.), United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA), today to announce the introduction of the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act, legislation to strengthen protections for part-time workers and allow them to better balance their work schedules with personal and family needs. The legislation will address one of the primary issues that hourly workers face - work schedules that do not provide as many hours as they need to support their families - and provide additional protections and benefits for part-time workers.

"All workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and have equal access to livable wages, benefits and opportunities to advance in the workplace," said Rep. Pressley. "Unfortunately, millions of part-time workers--disproportionately Black and brown women--continue to face lower wages, unpredictable schedules and lack access to critical benefits and workplace protections. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing The Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act to help right these wrongs and support the economic security of part-time workers."

"The vast majority of part-time workers across the country face volatile work hours, unstable incomes, low wages, and few opportunities to advance in the workplace. They deserve better. Today, I introduced the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act with my colleagues Representatives DeLauro, Lee, Pressley, and Porter to ensure equitable workplace treatment for part-time workers. This legislation requires employers to treat part-time and full-time employees equitably in wages, benefits, and promotions. It gives part-time workers access to stable hours, pension plans, and family and medical leave. We must improve the quality of part-time work to ensure the economic security of the more than one in five American workers who work part-time," said Congresswoman Schakowsky.

"All workers deserve to make enough to build futures for themselves and their families, but giant companies try to skimp on wages and benefits by exploiting part-time workers rather than hiring full-time staff. Congress should pass the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights to put an end to exploitative business practices that put corporate profits over people," Senator Warren said.

"Part-time workers are essential to our economy," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "Yet, far too often, these workers are at a disadvantage when it comes to the stability and opportunities that are afforded to full-time employees. The Part Time Workers Bill of Rights Act provides part-time workers with the peace of mind they so rightly deserve by ensuring they have access to additional hours and receive benefits like Family and Medical Leave which we know is crucial to the wellbeing of our workers. I applaud Congresswoman Schakowsky and Senator Warren for their leadership on this issue and am committed to ensuring part-time workers have the tools they need to provide for themselves and their families."

"Unpredictable and unstable work schedules cause unneeded stress for millions of part time workers. This deliberate effort to boost profits makes it nearly impossible for many workers to balance their jobs with their families and personal lives," said Congresswoman Lee. "I am proud to introduce the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights Act with Representatives Schakowsky, DeLauro, Pressley, and Porter. Large employers must fix these unpredictable and insufficient schedules, and show that they value their part-time workers."

"A strong workforce is essential for a healthy and stable economy," Representative Porter said. "Too many big corporations are getting away with deliberately under-employing their workers, boosting their bottom line at the expense of American families. Our Part Time Worker Bill of Rights cracks down on this corporate abuse by closing a loophole that allows big businesses to profit off giving some workers lower wages and fewer benefits."