We, the People of this country, seek immediate action to protect our lives, our health, and our planet. We demand legislation on the following by October 14th, 2021 - to be enacted January 1st, 2022 for Phase (1) and January 1st, 2024 for Phase (2). Full essays with detailed points and research for each demand can be found on www.labormovementx.org
I. Adequate Wages and Hours: $15/hr minimum wage (1). 100% cost of living coverage per state (2). Begin overtime at 35hrs/week and pay rate of 1.5x base (1). Lower to 32hrs/week (2).
II. Accessible Healthcare: Pass HR676 Medicare for all to be enacted by 12/31/2021, no exceptions for disability or pre-existing conditions (1). Forgive all current medical debt (1).
III. Acceptable Leave: Minimum 16 weeks Federally paid parental leave including adoption (1). Minimum sick time accrual of .046 hours/hr worked and PTO of .092 hours/hr worked (1). 8 paid holidays off per year (1).
IV. Fair Taxes: 52% capital gains tax and 7.8% NIIT tax for individuals making over $10 million per year (1).
V. Decent Workplaces: Make compensation and benefit data public for all companies (1). Ban discriminatory dress codes (1). Mandate workers rights + harassment training for all companies (1).
VI. Ethical Environmental Action: We demand 100% clean energy and transportation by 2030 to aim for 1.5° C of global warming (1/2).
VII. Affordable Housing: Pass HR 4496 “Ending Homelessness” Act of 2021 (1). Universal Rental Assistance (2). Profit margin of 5% max for all rental properties (1).
VIII. Cost-Effective Education: Cancel all existing student loan debt (1). Make community college free for all (2). Ensure adequate and equal funding for all school districts (2). Changes to mandatory curriculum (2).
IX. Equitable Corporate Regulations: 28% corporate tax rate (1). Close tax loopholes and fraud through tax havens (2). Break up digital monopolies (1).
X. Representative Government: Modernize and remove barriers from our election system (1). Hold our elected officials to higher ethical standards with finances (2). Make our government fair and representative of our country as it really is (1/2).
We thank you for your time and attention to these urgent matters. In the wake of the global pandemic, now is the time to act. If we don’t make these necessary changes we will only see our country slip further and further into devastation. We need you to help us protect our environment, our health, our quality of life, and our work from continued catastrophe. After many years of waiting, wishing, and hoping for action on our behalf, we have reached a point where we must demand change.
Thank you,
The people of the United States
