The National Retail Federation has expressed its strong support to the Save American Workers Act, and has urged for passage of the Act that would restore the traditional 40-hour workweek standard for health benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
In a letter sent to each and every House office, NRF said the ACA is bringing profound change to the labour market, as the 30-hour definition will force retailers to manage to a new standard: whether or not an hourly employee is above or below the 30-hour level on average.
“For part-time employees – who will now likely work 29 or fewer hours per week – it will mean lost income. Restoring the 40-hour work week would benefit retail employees with more income and encourage more full-time employment,” said David French, NRF senior vice president for government relations.
“Restoring the traditional 40-hour workweek would benefit employers and employees,” said French and added, “It would return power to employers to establish and maintain health care benefit eligibility standards, protect full-time employees and benefit hourly employees with more hours, more income and greater opportunity to advance to full-time employment.”
The bipartisan bill H.R. 30, which would repeal the ACA’s definition of a 30-hour workweek, is expected to come to the House floor for a vote during the inaugural week of the 114th Congress.
“The Save American Workers Act is a commonsense piece of legislation that will restore an established workforce precedent and protect business owners and their employees,” French said.
“The ACA is in serious need of revision and reform, and we urge Congress to further that process by approving this bipartisan piece of legislation to restore the traditional definition of a 40-hour workweek,” he added.
NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. (RKS)
