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New Bush Rules Narrow Family Leave for Workers |
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As part of its last-minute move to push dozens of pro-business regulations onto the books before it leaves office, the Bush administration today issued new finalized rules for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that will make it tougher for some 77 million workers to use leave when they need to take care of themselves or family members.
Jocelyn Frye, general counsel for the National Partnership for Women & Families, says the new rules:
Will make it more difficult to take leave when they needed it.
But, along with new restrictions on workers’ use of leave, the U.S. Department of Labor also added new rules clarifying how military families can take time off to care for wounded service members. In January, Congress approved legislation extending the FMLA to military families.
Yesterday, Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) told reporters the changes for military families will:
…help military families balance work and family. But other changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act on balance, benefit employers at the expense of workers.
Under FMLA, companies employing 50 or more people must allow workers up to 12 weeks a year of unpaid leave to care for themselves or family members during illnesses or for the birth or adoption of a child.
One of the business-backed changes requires workers to give advance notification before they take leave. Family advocates point out many workers are forced to take family and medical leave because of sudden illness or injury to themselves or family members.
The final rules are nearly identical to initial regulations the Labor Department first proposed. Testifying before a House committee earlier this year, National Partnership President Debra Ness said:
workers will find that they must give more notice, more information, have more medical examinations and respond to employer requirements in shorter time frames. Employers, on the other hand, would have more time to respond to employees’ request for FMLA leave and more ways to delay or deny FMLA leave.
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney called the rules “another slap in the face to working families who are struggling just to get by in the midst of an economic crisis.”
It’s reprehensible—but all too predictable—that the Bush administration would use its final days in office to give business interests one more gift by placing more hurdles in front of workers who need to care for their families.
The new rules will be published Nov. 17 in the Federal Register and go into effect Jan. 17, just days before President-elect Barack Obama takes office. By finalizing the family leave rules now, the Bush administration has made sure that if the Obama administration wants to rescind or modify the business-backed changes, it will face a long and drawn-out regulatory process.
Obama has called for expanding the FMLA to cover more workers and also supports paid sick leave for workers.
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One Sick Kin Away From Being Fired
It is hard for a family to make both ends meet,
Both of us working so we are not on the street.
Minimum wage workers need every single dime;
They also need some emergency kin care time.
We work hard, and at night and we’re so tired,
Just one sick child away from being fired.
Why can’t we use sick leave to care for our kin,
When the Bosses fires us for that is a just a sin.
Not any time off, with pay, for short time family care;
When the roll is called up yonder will these managers be there?
We work hard and at night and we’re so tired.
Just one sick spouse away from being fired.
Companies protect and defend at all costs their mighty corporate right;s
So when you take time off for your family, be prepared to join the fights.
Working families, we need to lobby congress and the legislatures too.
We need a law so are jobs are protected when our child gets the flu..
We work hard and at night and we’re so tired,
Just one sick parent away from being fired.
Providing time for families doesn’t cost it will pay.
It reduces turnover because more employees stay.
It, increases loyalty, dedication and it is caring and kind.
A benefit employees value and it’s one that’s hard to find.
We work hard and at night and we’re so tired.
Just one sick self away from being fired.
Too many times we’re fired and end up in the street.
Loss of jobs or pay and our bills we can’t meet.
Bankruptcy from medical bills or the loss of a job,
We loose heart and hope and our kids learn to rob
You can pay to build families or tear them apart.
The dollars spent on sick leave are just a start;
Childcare, after school programs to care for our kids
And medical care for every one even those on the skids.
If you don’t do these things you will still pay the price.
In court costs and prisons and that is not very nice.
A nations economy must serve all the people in the land;
Not greed or the wealthy, government must take a stand.
The social safety net is not just for the poor,
It protects us all from the thief at our door.
By David G. Hurlburt CWA local 9410
Now for our military families:
A true tale in poem form. You can listen to the song at http://www.unionsong.com
http://www.unionsong.com/u322.html
To the tune of Hank Williams Sr. Cold Cold Heart
Melt Verizon’s Cold, Cold Heart
Give Kara De Witt her job back, we make this our solemn vow.
Parents of America shout “Verizon can you hear us Now!”
In October you told her be here each day at her time to start!
Why don’t you hire her back today and melt your cold, cold heart!
We’re here to today because of Kara and all working parents too!
Two infants at home, a husband in Iraq, what is a mother to do?
Stress was overwhelming from work and home just for a start.
Why don’t you care about families, and melt your cold, cold heart!
She cared for her children alone while she hoped and prayed.
Then not once but many times her husband’s return was delayed.
The uncertain feelings of worry would her husband forever part.
Why don’t you care about families, and melt your cold, cold heart!
When he returned after 19 months and she got Sick and Blue.
She is an amazing woman with all that she went through.
No vacation, or accommodations is that flexibility on your part?
Why don’t you care about families, and melt your cold, cold heart!
Why is it so hard for Verizon to be fair to their employees.
Let them take the time they need to care for their families.
Hire Kara Back with full back pay would be a very good start
Why don’t you care about families and melt your cold, cold heart!
By David Hurlburt CWA local 9410
I hope he doesn’t give our nuclear secrets to the enemy before he leaves.