12/07/2007
The House Labor Relations committee again postponed votes this week on two bills that mandate coffee breaks and lunch breaks and the times at which small-business owners must provide them. The postponement marks the second time that labor bosses failed to secure enough votes to push these mandates through the committee as many lawmakers are being contacted by small-business owners in their districts about the negative effects of the proposed mandates.
Despite these minor setbacks, organized labor is expected to make a strong push for these bills next year. NFIB/Pennsylvania members are strongly urged to contact their lawmakers and members of the Labor Relations Committee to express their opposition to the legislation and explain how these mandates would impede their ability to manage their workforce and hamper your flexibility to establish break periods and leave policies that meet the needs of your own workers.
HB 1756, sponsored by Rep. Galloway (Bucks), would mandate that employers provide a 15-minute, uninterrupted rest period for each four consecutive hours of work. HB 1757, also sponsored by Rep. Galloway, would mandate that employers provide a meal period of at least 30 consecutive minutes for employees who work 7.5 or more hours a day. If an employee works 7.5 hours, the lunch break must be held between the third and fifth hour of work. Small-business owners would be subject to fines of up to $2,500 for violating the measures.
