New Bush Rules Narrow Family Leave for Workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/11/14/new-bush-rules-narrow-family-leave-for-workers/

by Mike Hall, Nov 14, 2008

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.

Snip Obama has called for expanding the FMLA to cover more workers and also supports paid sick leave for workers.

FULL story at link.

[silverojo]

1. Fuck Bush right in his black heart!

Family Medical Leave literally saved my life, so I know first-hand how important it is.

These Republicans are the most amoral, evil, life-destroying bastards this side of the Holocaust. And I only say "this side" because they were less obvious than Hitler about their genocide.

"Culture of life", my ass! :mad: