Maine (labor banner state) Rolls Back Child Labor Laws. 1 Down, 1 to Go in ‘Right to Work’ Fight

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2011/06/02/maine-rolls-back-child-labor-laws-1-down-1-to-go-in-right-to-work-fight/

by Mike Hall, Jun 2, 2011

Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R)—the same LePage who was so incensed about a labor history mural that included a depiction of the fight for strong child labor laws that he ordered it taken down—signed a bill yesterday that weakens Maine’s child labor laws.

The bill allows business owners to work teenagers longer hours each day and later into the night. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds can now work six hours a day and until 10:15 p.m. on school nights. But counting weekends and short school weeks, employers could have teenage workers on the clock for as many as 50 hours a week.

The Maine Restaurant Association, Maine Innkeepers Association and other business groups backed the child labor law rollback. Says Rep. Timothy Driscoll (D):

I think this bill should be more rightly titled an act to exploit our children for the financial benefit of the restaurant and the hospitality industry.

The original bill would have lifted almost all restrictions for teenagers and would have allowed employers to pay young workers a $5.25 an hour “training wage” as opposed to the state’s $7.25 an hour minimum wage. That went too far for even some Republican lawmakers who modified the bill.

FULL story at link.

[PDJane]

1. This is heartbreaking, you know........

rolling back a century of progressive labour laws. What is wrong with these people?

[HockeyMom]

2. Most adults, especially with UNION jobs,

don't work 50 hours a week. Exploit teenagers for greed and so what if they fail to graduate HS. More igornat workers for minimum wage jobs.