Tim's Talking about FLSA, Paid Sick Leave and Domestic Manufacturing Production Statistics

Try to keep up with me because this months "News" is loaded?

Meal Periods 

The FLSA requires that in order for meal time to be unpaid it must be bona fide.  To be Bona Fide the employee must be completely relieved from duties during the meal period.

So a receptionist answering phones while eating lunch does not qualify for unpaid meal time.

Discrimination Awards Increase

The office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) enforces affirmative action regulations.

The OFCCP recovered a record $67,510,982 in back pay for 24,508 individuals in 2008 . . . A 20% increase over 2007.  New leadership and a bigger budget are responsible.

More on 'We Don't Make Anything Here Anymore'

Those that think we don't manufacture in this country need to get out more.  As a company that provides light industrial labor throughout NE Ohio I know first hand about all the things we make locally. 

Consider these facts:

1. The US provides 45 percent of the total value of finished goods in the world.
2. The US produced $1.7 trillion worth of goods in 2008 which is more than the entire Russian economy.
3. In 2008 the value of our manufactured exports was more than the economy of India.
4. 52% of teens in the country have no interest in a manufacturing career.  61 percent of teens have never visited a manufacturing facility.  Only 21 percent have taken a shop class.

What has happened is that manufacturing jobs have declined from 20 million in 1980 to 12 million today.  The reason for this is because labor intensive, repetitive, jobs have gone overseas.  High tech solutions have increased productivity.  We make more steel today in this country than in 1970 with about 60 percent fewer employees as an example.

It's interesting to note that recently GE just over the state line in Grove City, PA secured an order to make a 100 diesel Locomotives to go to South America.  How many out there even knew these were made close by?

Contagious Paid Sick Leave Coming?

House Democrats have introduced legislation that would require employers of 15 or more to provide paid sick leave to employees that are required to go home as a result of a contagious illness.

The motivation in part may come from a Wal-Mart sick leave policy that punishes those that stay home with H1N1.

FMLA Expanded

FMLA has been expanded to cover those requesting leave to care for a family member that is a Veteran undergoing medical treatment.  This care was not previously covered.

Union Elections

Fewer union elections are being conducted, but the number of union wins is up 7 percent.  Unions are winning at a 73 percent clip in 2009.  Machinists (IAM), Teamsters and Service workers (SEIU) are the big winners.

Now don't you feel smarter?