It is my pleasure to join the law offices of Wiley Walsh PC as its newest attorney. I have always dreamed of being a lawyer who fights for the little guy, helping employees get the compensation they are due. I take my responsibilities very seriously, as I have a duty to zealously defend the interests of my clients.
Simply put, worker’s rights is an issue very dear to my heart. Which is why I am deeply concerned with recent bills introduced in the Texas legislature. These bills, if passed, would limit the ability of cities to enact their own labor laws, making it much harder for workers to seek justice when their rights have been violated.
One of the most troubling bills, Senate Bill 130, would preempt local governments from passing ordinances that regulate scheduling practices by private employers. For instance, Austin would be left unable to enforce its Fair Workweek ordinance which requires employers to give workers advance notice of their schedules and pay them for last-minute schedule changes. This law helps workers balance their work and personal lives and provides them with some predictability in their work schedules. If SB 130 passes, however, this law and others like it would be rendered toothless.
Two other concerning bills are House Bill 121 and Senate Bill 563, which would prohibit cities from enacting ordinances that require employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees. This bill would overturn existing laws in Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas that mandate paid sick leave. Without paid sick leave, workers would be forced to choose between going to work when they are sick or losing a day’s pay, which is a choice that no worker should have to make. This disproportionately affects low-income workers, who cannot afford an unpaid day off.
These bills are just the latest examples of the Texas government’s attempts to preempt local labor laws. In 2019, the state passed a law that prohibited cities from passing ordinances that raise the minimum wage above the state level. This law has already had a significant impact on workers in cities like Austin and Dallas, where the cost of living is higher than the rest of the state.
At Wiley Walsh PC, we believe that workers deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. They should be able to count on their employers to provide them with a living wage, safe working conditions, and protections from discrimination and harassment. When cities pass labor laws to protect basic rights, it is the responsibility of the state to support these efforts, not undermine them.
We urge the Texas legislature to reject these bills and instead focus on protecting workers’ rights and strengthening labor laws. We will continue to fight for the rights of workers and stand up for justice in the face of any attempts to erode these fundamental protections. Should you have any concerns about your employer, contact me in Austin, or one of my talented colleagues in Houston or Dallas and we’ll fight for your rights.
Further Reading
Alex Nguyen & Samantha Aguilar, The Texas Tribune, Texas cities have adopted ordinances to benefit workers. Sweeping legislation could roll many back., (Mar. 16, 2023), Retrieved from: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/03/16/texas-cities-labor-ordinances/
Mike Christen, Austin Business Journal, Do Texas cities’ employment laws constitute vital protection or absurd ‘patchwork’? Debate rages at Capitol, (Apr. 7, 2023), Retrieved from: https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2023/04/06/texas-legislature-reviews-employment-changes.html