Countdown To Barack Bottom? (Part 1 of 3)

OBAMA PROPOSED CHANGES REGARDING WORKPLACE BENEFITS

Potential changes to minimum wage laws:

According to Obama’s website, “As president, Obama will further raise the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour by 2011, index it to inflation and increase the Earned Income Tax Credit to make sure that full-time workers can earn a living wage that allows them to raise their families and pay for basic needs such as food, transportation, and housing - things so many people take for granted.”

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/poverty/

The Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act:

Obama supports the Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act. Building off the new SEC disclosures, H.R. 1257, “The Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act” would require that public companies ensure that shareholders have:

Employee benefits for same-sex couples:

Obama “Opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposes a constitutional ban.” Obama “says he would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment. As stated on the Obama campaign Web site, he supports full civil unions that ‘give same-sex couples equal legal rights and privileges as married couples, including the right to assist their loved ones in times of emergency as well as equal health insurance, employment benefits, and property and adoption rights.”

Obama says the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Advocated legislation that sought to expand federal hate crimes law to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Obama says the military's ‘Don't ask, don't tell’ policy needs to be repealed.”

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/issues.samesexmarriage.html

Potential creation of "automatic" workplace pensions and other retirement benefit issues:

According to Obama’s website, “The Obama-Biden retirement security plan will automatically enroll workers in a workplace pension plan. Under their plan, employers who do not currently offer a retirement plan, will be required to enroll their employees in a direct-deposit IRA account that is compatible to existing direct-deposit payroll systems. Employees may opt-out if they choose.”

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/seniors/

Potential mandatory employer contributions for healthcare coverage and other related policies:

Obama said, "The time has come for universal health care in America [...] I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country." Obama went on to say that he believed that it was wrong that forty-seven million Americans are uninsured, noting that taxpayers already pay over $15 billion annually to care for the uninsured. Obama cites cost as the reason so many Americans are without health insurance. Obama's health care plan includes implementing guaranteed eligibility for affordable health care for all Americans, paid for by insurance reform, reducing costs, removing patent protection for pharmaceuticals, and required employer contributions. He would provide for mandatory health care insurance for children.”

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-01-25-obama-health_x.htm

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

COUNSEL TO MANAGEMENT:

    Management can expect big changes on the federal level and, in response, big changes on the state level. Organized labor has been bottled for eight years. Now, they’re ready to attack. Management should take proactive steps now (like writing your congressperson) to brace themselves for the upcoming changes. Management should begin to examine the economic impact these changes would have on their business and should plan accordingly. Management should monitor our site for the status of the proposed legislation.

The goal of this article is to provide employers with current labor and employment law information. The contents should not be interpreted or construed as legal advice or opinion. For individual responses to questions or concerns regarding any given situation, the reader should consult with The Saqui Law Group at (831) 443-7100 in Salinas.