Senate Voted to Roll Back Workplace Protections

By Melanie Ross Levin, National Women’s Law Center

Yesterday, on a party line vote of 49-48, the Senate voted to roll back workplace protections for women by overturning the rules implementing Obama’s Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces executive order.

So what does this actually mean? 

Companies bidding on federal contracts will soon no longer have to disclose any history of violations of federal labor or civil rights laws. And those same companies can force employees into arbitration for sexual assault claims, sexual harassment claims, and other Title VII discrimination claims.

This means that companies that violate the law could use fine print forced arbitration clauses to keep their wrongdoing out of the public eye and prevent injured employees from having their day in court, or even sharing their stories with each other (including victims of sexual harassment and assault).

This vote also means that a future President and Department of Labor can’t simply reinstate these rules or something very similar to them.  Congress would have to pass a law to put these protections back in place.

Is this a done deal?

Sort of. President Trump has promised to sign it. So we expect it to be law soon.

So how do I find out how my Senators voted? I am eager to let them know how I feel.  

Do it! 

I’m so angry, I can’t even think about what to say.  Can you give me a script?

Step 1: See how your Senators voted.

Step 2: Call (202) 224- 3121 to reach both of your Senators.

Step 3: After you’re connected to one of your Senator’s offices, use one of these two scripts, depending on how they voted:

  • “Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and as a resident of {CITY, STATE}, I am greatly disappointed that the Senator voted for H.J. Res. 37, because it will significantly harm victims of sexual harassment and workers generally. Please relay my message.”

or

  • “Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and as a resident of {CITY, STATE}, I am calling to thank the Senator for voting against H.J. Res. 37. I appreciate the Senator for doing this right thing by victims of sexual harassment and other workers. Please relay my message.”

Step 4: Hang up and repeat for your other Senator.

I have more questions. What more can I read? 

Originally posted here.