Pittsburgh, PA – Continuing his commitment to hardworking Pennsylvanians, Governor
Tom Wolf unveiled his agenda for workers yesterday that will create safer workplaces,
guarantee paid leave and increase worker pay, among other worker-centered
improvements.
The governor signed an executive order yesterday morning and called on the
General Assembly to finally pass legislation that supports workers.
“With our economy on the comeback, there are so many job openings that people can
select the option that is best for their family. This is a critical moment for Pennsylvania
workers, and it’s time we stop asking why there is a labor shortage and start asking how we
can make jobs better,” said Gov. Wolf. “With Pennsylvanians renowned for our work ethic,
this is an opportunity to improve jobs in the state, which will attract and retain hardworking
people to live here and bring new industries to the commonwealth that want a talented,
skilled and dedicated workforce.
“I’m taking executive action and calling for legislative action to create safer workplaces,
promote higher wages and guarantee paid leave for workers. These three necessary
changes will help workers and transform the nature of work in Pennsylvania.”
The governor was joined at a news conference in Pittsburgh by Department of Labor &
Industry (L&I) Secretary Jennifer Berrier, Department of Community and Economic
Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, Rep.
Jessica Benham and other legislators, workers and labor leaders.
“After COVID-19 exposed our workforce to a new set of dangers, it’s all the more important
that we update statewide worker protections,” said Sen. Costa. “In so many industries, they
were on the frontlines of COVID exposure without the equipment they needed to keep
themselves safe, or the time off to heal if they got sick, let alone paid time off to care for sick
loved ones. I’m here today in lockstep with the Governor’s commitment to this issue so that
our workforce can thrive here in the commonwealth.”
“Over the past year and a half, we have seen just how essential all workers are in PA: from
manufacturing and the supply chain, to teachers, to grocery store workers,” said Rep.
Benham. “And while these workers support all of us – we must support them through
legislation that raises the minimum wage, provides paid sick leave, and assures worker
protections in both the public and private sectors.”
Safer Workplaces
Every worker deserves a safe and healthy workplace that follows the labor laws and
protects the well-being of employees. The governor is directing L&I and the Office of
Administration to study the feasibility of implementing Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) standards in offices under the governor’s jurisdiction. State agencies
will also ensure those receiving state grants and contracts protect their employees by
following labor laws and understand the consequences of not complying.
The governor is also calling on the legislature to extend OSHA safety rules to all public
employees — safeguards the nation’s private sector and federal employees have benefitted
from for 50 years. S.B. 310, sponsored by Sen. Tina Tartaglione, and H.B. 1976, sponsored
by Rep. Pat Harkins, would ensure public employees know their safety is a priority.
“We are in a national conversation about the value of work and the dignity of individuals
whose labor is the engine of our economy,” said Sec. Berrier. “Governor Wolf’s action today
meets this moment by centering the needs of Pennsylvania workers so they can support
their families and build communities where all work is valuable. The time to take meaningful
action that supports workers and promotes economic prosperity is now.”
Paid Sick Leave
The governor is directing DCED to verify a business receiving an offer of assistance
provides its workers paid sick leave and pays no less than the minimum wage for state
employees before making a financial incentive offer. The $13.50 minimum wage for state
employees and contractors will reach $15 on July 1, 2024, under an executive order the
governor signed in 2018.
“This executive order provides the wages, benefits and protections that workers deserve
while giving companies the edge they need to attract employees in today’s pandemic
business landscape,” said Sec. Davin. “Investing only in businesses that embody the core
values of Pennsylvania’s economy, including paid sick leave and minimum wage
requirements, means we will also enhance the well-being of our workforce and our
economy.”
The governor is also urging the legislature to pass S.B. 13, sponsored by Sen. Vince
Hughes, and H.B. 1035, sponsored by Rep. Mike Zabel, which would provide paid sick
leave to workers in Pennsylvania. An estimated 400,000 Pennsylvania workers lack paid
sick leave, which forces them to work when sick, risking their health and those around them.
Providing paid sick leave would improve public health and prevent more people from getting
sick, a protection that is beneficial to both workers and their employers.
Increase Worker Pay
For seven years, Governor Wolf has proposed a minimum wage increase that would boost
the paychecks of many workers, create more customers for local businesses and make the
economy stronger for everyone. Despite strong public support, evidence workers keep their
jobs and the opportunity to strengthen financial stability for women and people of color, the
Republican legislature has failed to act, leaving Pennsylvania behind all of our neighboring
states with a minimum wage of just $7.25. Since the last time the minimum wage was
increased, its purchasing power has dropped by nearly 17 percent, and the minimum wage
has lost nearly 31 percent of its value compared to 50 years ago.
In addition to executive action on minimum pay for businesses receiving DCED offers, the
governor called on the General Assembly to pass S.B. 12, sponsored by Sen. Tina
Tartaglione, or H.B. 345, sponsored by Rep. Patty Kim, to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum
wage to $12 an hour with a path to $15 and remove local preemption.
Eight states are on a path to $15, including red states, and President Joe Biden is raising
the federal minimum wage for contractors to $15. Overall, 29 other states, including every
state that borders Pennsylvania, has a higher minimum wage.
The governor directed L&I to pursue regulatory changes so workers are fairly paid for their
work time spent on activities such as security screenings and putting on equipment required
for their job. L&I is also pursuing regulations so workers whose wages depend on tips
receive the full amount of their tips and that there is better clarity around tipping processes
and definitions.
Other Worker-Supporting Actions
The governor also announced that L&I will make publicly available a list of bad actors that
violate labor laws, misclassify their workers, owe unemployment compensation back taxes
or fail to carry requisite workers’ compensation insurance.
While the governor is using his executive authority to help workers, many bills to protect and
invest in workers are languishing in the General Assembly. Republican legislative leaders
should immediately take action to pass equal pay for women, family and medical leave, help
for seasonal farm workers, fair hiring practices and to stop misclassification of workers.
Help for Out-of-Work Pennsylvanians
Governor Wolf is also urging the General Assembly to take action to help out-of-work
Pennsylvanians, many of whom face hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The
governor supports Rep. Gerald Mullery’s H.B. 549, which amends the Unemployment
Compensation Law to streamline the process for eligible Pennsylvania workers to access
the benefit to which they are entitled. The bill also includes provisions to strengthen
Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation safety net to ensure that benefits are available
to workers during future times of high unemployment and economic downturn.
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