Demos’ Response to the Repeal of the Fair Pay and Safe Workplace Order

Monday, March 6 (NEW YORK, NY) – Heather McGhee, President of Demos, a New York-based public policy organization and think tank, issued this statement following the repeal of the Fair Pay and Safe Workplace Executive Order:

“Today’s Congressional action to repeal Obama’s Fair Pay and Safe Workplace Executive Order is a clear and direct attack on America’s working class. This order was put in place to ensure a very basic standard – that the companies who do business with our government and get federal funding do not illegally take advantage of their workers. No amount of profitability or productivity for these companies is worth the safety and wellbeing of our workers and their families.

“Demos’ research shows that nearly two million private sector employees working on behalf of America earn wages too low to support a family. Our government should only fund companies who pay workers a basic living wage and ensure their employee’s rights are protected.

“Even before he took office, Donald Trump claimed to be a champion of the working class, but his actions so far have shown otherwise. Today’s action gives him the opportunity to prove that he can put the best interests of workers ahead of corporate profits. We urge President Trump to immediately oppose this action and protect our country’s working class.”      

###