Will States Take Up the Mantle of Worker Protection?
The attorney general of New York, Eric Schneiderman, is getting ready to protect employees from wage theft and other illegal practices if the federal government doesn't.
Since November’s election, labor advocates have been bracing themselves for an administration they fear will be kinder to owners than. One of the clearest signs that the Department of Labor is set to switch gears: Andy Puzder, the CEO of fast-food company CKE Restaurants, was nominated as secretary of the Labor Department. Puzder has been an outspoken critic of some of the changes labor advocates are currently trying to implement such as minimum-wage increases and expanded overtime pay, arguing that such regulations hinder businesses and lead them to hire less. But some are hopeful that there’s another way to protect employees, even without the federal government’s help: Instead, they’re looking to the states.
