Labor

The word “labor” is often a misnomer. What we are in fact talking about, is people. People who have jobs. People who work long, hard hours to earn their pay. People whose job security is dictated by market forces outside their control. People who are often vulnerable to losing their jobs for almost any reason and at any time. People who face wage theft and wage discrimination. People who come from every background and walk of life, and are just trying to make a living. The American economy is strong because our labor force is strong. But that means we have to protect those people who make up that labor force, not just because it’s how we strengthen the economy, but because these are our fellow citizens, our neighbors, and ourselves.

IVI-IPO supports

  • Increasing the minimum wage to at least $15/hour

  • Placing farm workers and household employees under existing labor laws

  • Legislation protecting the rights of day laborers and prohibiting permanent replacement of strikers

  • “Living Wage” legislation at the federal, state and local levels

  • Strengthening the Chicago Jobs and Living Wage Ordinance

  • Family and medical leave legislation

  • The right of both public and private employees to organize and bargain collectively

  • Repeal of the Taft-Hartley Act

  • Passage of the Employee Free Choice Act

IVI-IPO opposes

  • Privatization and out-sourcing of government services unless service levels are maintained at a reduced cost without reducing workers’ wages and benefits

  • “Training wages” below the minimum wage