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Obama administration moves against federal contractors that owed back pay to workers
Obama administration moves against federal contractors that owed back pay to workers
By Joe Davidson | Columnist January 4
joe.davidson@washpost.com
@JoeDavidsonWP
How the dealmaking Trump crowd will deal with federal contractors remains to be seen, but the Obama administration is making a statement during its final weeks in office. ... In the waning days of December, the Labor Department took strong action against two companies that it said has cheated workers.
On Dec. 30, Labor announced a move to debar or prohibit any new federal contracts with Restaurant Associates. It prides itself on “delivering hospitality excellence to premier clients.” ... The week before, Labor officials said Hormel Foods, which supplies food to federal agencies, agreed to hire 37 women and pay $550,000 in back wages to 403 female job candidates to settle federal discrimination charges.
These actions are in line with previous administration actions designed to improve life for federal contractors. President Obama’s 2014 “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” executive order permits agencies to bar federal contractors with workplace violations, although this measure has been blocked by a federal judge in Texas. In another 2014 executive order, Obama set the minimum hourly wage for contract workers at $10.10 and allowed for annual increases. Under a new rule announced in September, federal contractors must offer paid sick leave to employees beginning this year.
But what Obama gave workers, President-elect Donald Trump could take away. He has promised to “cancel every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum and order issued by President Obama,” during the new administration’s first 100 days.
By Joe Davidson | Columnist January 4
joe.davidson@washpost.com
@JoeDavidsonWP
How the dealmaking Trump crowd will deal with federal contractors remains to be seen, but the Obama administration is making a statement during its final weeks in office. ... In the waning days of December, the Labor Department took strong action against two companies that it said has cheated workers.
On Dec. 30, Labor announced a move to debar or prohibit any new federal contracts with Restaurant Associates. It prides itself on “delivering hospitality excellence to premier clients.” ... The week before, Labor officials said Hormel Foods, which supplies food to federal agencies, agreed to hire 37 women and pay $550,000 in back wages to 403 female job candidates to settle federal discrimination charges.
These actions are in line with previous administration actions designed to improve life for federal contractors. President Obama’s 2014 “Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces” executive order permits agencies to bar federal contractors with workplace violations, although this measure has been blocked by a federal judge in Texas. In another 2014 executive order, Obama set the minimum hourly wage for contract workers at $10.10 and allowed for annual increases. Under a new rule announced in September, federal contractors must offer paid sick leave to employees beginning this year.
But what Obama gave workers, President-elect Donald Trump could take away. He has promised to “cancel every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum and order issued by President Obama,” during the new administration’s first 100 days.
