Thursday, July 31, 2014

One Step Closer


WE ARE ONE STEP CLOSER


President Obama today signed a new executive order (EO), the "Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order," which requires companies bidding for federal contracts to disclose their recent compliance with labor and employment laws and instructs federal agencies to consider this compliance, or lack thereof, in the process of awarding federal contracts.  One in five U.S. workers is employed by a firm that receives at least one federal contract, so this will have strong and rippling effects throughout the labor market, not just for those workers directly employed through government contracts. 

As the President noted in his speech before the signing, taxpayer dollars should provide good jobs with decent wages and safe working conditions.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness (OPW) is pleased that the President is addressing this issue. It is good for workers, for law-abiding employers, and for U.S. taxpayers. The OPW has been advocating for greater enforcement of existing labor law for some time and only two days ago, I risked arrest in order to move the President to take actions such as this one. I rejoice that the President is hearing the voice of Presbyterian public witness and other partners in the faith community.

Your continued support through action alerts and support for the PC(USA) Office of Public Witness is greatly appreciated. We believe that Jesus Christ is laying the foundation for many great works ahead – one step at a time.

Reverend J. Herbert Nelson
Director for Public Witness
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Washington, DC