Bob Geiger of Alternet reported this story about Ted Kennedy’s latest worker rights effort, not apparently waiting for a bigger Democratic majority to be able to override an inevitable Bush veto. Workers without sick leave benefits will gain considerably, but as it expands the conditions for using sick leave, families will also benefit in ways not heretofore considered a sick benefit. Hardship and family sicknesses are covered as well as significant others in gay relationships.
American workers, being the most productive and hardest working in terms long hours among Western industrialized nations, and as they have experienced minimal wage growth during the past six years, one would have to believe that Kennedy’s legislation is intended to increase income for workers not now able to be paid for days they unable to work due to illness.
As Republicans are already squawking about the effect of the costs on employers and loss of jobs, no one should expect that a veto override is possible. But the Republicans will again be on record as being against legislation that benefits workers and their families. Of course, they will also being chaining themselves again to Bush’s sinking ship. Will they listen the next time around?
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