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* WUIS has a story about a new state law…
Temp agencies must now give their workers information about equipment, protective clothing and training before sending them to a work place. And if the agency offers transportation to and from work, the service should be free of charge. […]
“It’s one of the few states in the country that really recognizes the changes in the economy and in the labor market,” [Tim Bell, the executive director for the Chicago Worker’s Collaborative] says, “and it’s one of the few states that recognizes that it’s jobs where the conditions are dangerous, they’re precarious, there’s no security, there’s no benefits.”
Next on advocates’ agendas is the issue of wage parity. Bell says many temporary workers “end up working a job for 8 years, 10 years, 12 years–as a temp– never getting vacation pay, never getting sick days, getting paid as little as half of what a direct worker makes.”
Agencies will also be required to make the effort to place workers into permanent jobs, and cover the expenses for background checks and drug tests. These changes go into effect June 2018.
* More…
The original bill included an aggressive wish list of reforms but was pared back after negotiations with industry representatives and legislative hearings. The law’s other provisions require temp agencies to:
* Notify workers of the kind of protective clothing, gear and training they will need.
* Bring workers back from job sites if they provide transportation to the job. Often, temp agency vans take workers to jobs far from home, but leave them to get back on their own.
* Stop charging workers for credit reports, criminal background checks and drug tests.
* “Attempt” to place temp workers into permanent positions when they open up. Otherwise, workers often toil for years as perma-temps, without benefits, seniority, time off or job security.
The back-story on this bill is here. It’s a very informative read.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 10:54 am
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Doesn’t sound like a very business friendly law. Seems like it is more of a burdensome regulation that will chase businesses from the State. /s
Comment by Huh? Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 10:59 am
But-but-but, we can’t pay people what they’re worth…
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 11:15 am
In another worker story that’s been discussed on this forum, Mark Janus stated the reason he brought the case about AFSCME. It wasn’t about the political activity which he complained about to me when he was a union member.
He claims he can actually negotiate better pay and working conditions for himself for his state work than the union has done. http://www.sj-r.com/opinion/20170930/mark-janus-workers-should-have-right-to-choose-on-union-dues-fees
His claim casts him the mold of Rauner, either stunningly ignorant or disingenuous.
Comment by O'Reilly's Loofa Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 11:35 am
If I may quote Gary Forby…”This is a good bill”.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 11:55 am
One reason for the explosion of temp work is the high cost of hiring permanent employees - be it ACA costs, risk of getting sued for hiring/firing practices, and so forth. This increases unemployment. Look at Europe which has very stringent worker protections - leading to immobility in the labor market - and today “celebrated” unemployment of 9.1%, lowest since 2009. I see this kind of thing as leading to more folks standing in the Home Depot lot waiting to work for cash.
Comment by Put the fun in unfunded Monday, Oct 2, 17 @ 12:08 pm