Workers, DC residents, employers, and City Council members packed the room at a Workers’ Rights Board hearing on just hours Wednesday, where workers expressed how constantly changing work schedules affect their ability to live their lives. “This used to be a respectable business,” said Kimberly Mitchell, a UFCW member who works at Macy’s. “Now, it seems like we don’t mean anything to these big corporations when we are the ones who are there every day, on time, any time.” The problem of unfair scheduling practices affects workers’ ability to get childcare or go to school, and having them remain on-call prevents them from getting other jobs. In addition to workers, parents, teachers, members of legal and aid organizations spoke about the effect of this problem on communities like the homeless, immigrants, or citizens returning from prison. In turn, councilmembers present responded with a commitment to remedy the issue. “You just gave me an idea,” said Councilmember Elissa Silverman after hearing Mitchell’s testimony, “to add bereavement to the categories of sick leave." Photo courtesy of Sivan Rosenthal: Kimberly Mitchell speaks about her experience at Macy's
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