Lawmakers Begin New Session With Labor Bills

www.manufacturing.net ^ | January 09, 2009 | Jim Abrams

[BLF]

The House has passed legislation to assure that employers live up to their four-decade-old legal promise to provide equal pay for equal work.

Democrats led lawmakers in approving a bill making clear that women who are victims of gender-based discrimination can sue for compensatory and punitive damage.

The chamber was also voting on a bill in response to a Supreme Court decision that workers must file a discrimination claim within 180 days of a pay violation.

Supporters of changing the law said many workers don't find out about wage disparities for years.

The two bills, coming in the first week of the new Congress, attest to the worker rights agenda of the Democratic-led Congress and the incoming Democratic president, Barack Obama.

[Wiseghy]

I’ve been expecting this. So far, the press is shamelessly lapping up the “we’re moderates!” message of the incoming administration.

Proposed bills like this make it clear what the actual posture will be.
Based on appointments, I’d say energy and labor especially are in for big trouble (as well as the entire country).