Issue Position: Protecting Wages and Workers' Rights

Issue Position

* Protect workers from wage theft.

* End worker misclassification.

* Stop discrimination in the workplace and ensure equal pay for equal work.
Prevent employers from retaliating against employees who exercise their rights.

* Uphold Pennsylvanians' right to organize.

* Establish a Fair Labor Unit within the Office of Attorney General.

Protect workers from wage theft. Every week, Pennsylvania workers suffer as much as $32 million in wage theft, according to a Temple University study. This includes minimum wage violations, illegal paycheck deductions, unpaid overtime, tip skimming and more. Many of the victims of these crimes are low-income workers living paycheck-to-paycheck who are afraid of punished or fired by their employers if they come forward. As Attorney General, Shapiro will work closely with the Department of Labor & Industry to investigate wage theft and criminally prosecute serious violations and repeat violators to protect workers' wages.

End worker misclassification. Over half a million Pennsylvanians are improperly classified as independent contractors rather than employees, denying them overtime and important rights and benefits, like workers' compensation and unemployment insurance. This problem is growing as more Pennsylvanians take on second and third jobs in the gig economy to make ends meet. Misclassification also hurts businesses that play by the rules. For example, in the construction industry, firms that misclassify workers are able to submit lower bids because they aren't paying required taxes and benefits for their workers. As Attorney General, Shapiro will work with the Department of Labor & Industry and the U.S. Department of Labor to root out and end the practice of worker misclassification.

Stop discrimination in the workplace and ensure equal pay for equal work. No Pennsylvanian should be treated differently by an employer because of who they are. Pennsylvania law prohibits workplace discrimination in hiring and pay on the basis of race, color, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, handicap or disability -- but too still leaves out far too many Pennsylvanians. As Attorney General, Shapiro will work with state agencies to enforce these anti-discrimination laws, including cases where women are paid less than their male counterparts. At the same time, he will be a staunch advocate for extending these same legal protections to LGBT Pennsylvanians.

Uphold Pennsylvanians' right to organize. Unions play an essential role in promoting a strong middle class through fair wages and benefits and ensuring equitable treatment of workers. But unions have come under attack in Harrisburg, from the courts to the statehouse. As Attorney General, Shapiro will use the full extent of his authority to fight union-busting tactics in the courts, in the Legislature and in workplaces.

Prevent employers from discriminating against employees who exercise their rights. Employees should never suffer retaliation for exercising their rights or taking advantage of benefits they are legally owed. But too often, employees suffer for filing for workers' compensation benefits, blowing the whistle on workplace safety violations or misconduct, or challenging workplace discrimination. As Attorney General, Shapiro will partner with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to protect employees from illegal retaliation by employers.

Establish a Fair Labor Unit within the Office of Attorney General. As Attorney General, Shapiro will form a Fair Labor Unit to protect Pennsylvania's workers. Similar to the Office of Attorney General's (OAG's) Environmental Crimes Unit, this unit will enforce Pennsylvania's labor laws in partnership with Department of Labor & Industry and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The Fair Labor Unit will also work with the OAG's Education and Outreach Division to educate the public regarding worker rights.Human Relations Commission. The Fair Labor Unit will also work with the OAG's Education and Outreach Division to educate the public regarding worker rights.

Source