This week, socialist Senator Bernie Sanders unveiled a measure that would institute a normal four-day workweek in the US without lowering wages.
By reducing the bar for overtime compensation for non-exempt employees, Sanders’ (I-Vt.) Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act would cut the typical workweek from forty hours to thirty-two hours over a four-year period.
In a news release, Sanders stated, “Moving to a 32-hour workday with no loss of income is not a crazy proposal.” “Compared to the 1940s, American laborers are nearly 400% more productive today. Millions of Americans are nevertheless putting in more hours at a lower rate than they did a few decades ago. That needs to be changed.
Furthermore, it would mandate overtime compensation for workdays longer than eight hours at a rate of 1.5 times the worker’s usual wage and for workdays longer than twelve hours at a rate of double the worker’s regular salary.
In order to prevent pay losses, the proposed measure would also safeguard employee perks and compensation.
A press statement characterized the law as “a significant stride towards guaranteeing that laborers partake in the enormous surge in productivity propelled by automation, artificial intelligence, and novel technologies.”
“The working people, not only Wall Street’s affluent investors and corporate CEOs, should reap the financial benefits from the significant breakthroughs in automation, artificial intelligence, and new technologies. Sanders stated, “It’s time to lower the stress level in our nation and provide Americans access to a higher standard of living.
In addition to Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) and Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.) introducing identical legislation in the House, Sanders also introduced the measure.
Butler released a statement saying, “Our workers are finding themselves working more, yet receiving less than ever, while CEOs’ incomes continue to climb.” “The Thirty-Two-Hour Workweek Act will safeguard wages, ensure that profits don’t go to a select few, and allow hardworking people to spend more time with their families.”
Opponents contend, however, that businesses cannot afford to cut hours while keeping pay levels unchanged.
In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, Mary Elizabeth Elkordy, the founder of Elkordy Global Strategies, a remote-based firm, stated that in order for their businesses to maintain the same level of output, they might need to employ and train additional workers.
TODAY: Senators are debating the idea of mandating a 32 hours work week for all Americans, without a pay cut.
Sen. Bernie Sanders just introduced a bill that would establish a standard 4 day work week. #NexstarDC pic.twitter.com/Rq96Opi3Dt
— Hannah Brandt (@HannahBrandt_TV) March 14, 2024
Sanders also asserted that advancements in artificial intelligence and other recent technologies have made it possible for Americans to work fewer hours.
Sanders stated, “The working class, not only corporate CEOs and affluent investors on Wall Street, must profit financially from the huge developments in artificial intelligence, automation, and new technologies.” It’s time for our nation to experience less stress and give its citizens a higher standard of living. A 32-hour workday with no salary reduction is long overdue.
