When companies benefit from public support, they should treat Alabama workers with fairness and respect. Alabama taxpayers have invested billions of dollars in economic development incentives to attract companies and create jobs. 

A bill introduced by Rep. Neil Rafferty (HB 352) would require companies receiving incentives under the Alabama Jobs Act to meet basic standards that protect workers and their families.

Under this proposal, companies receiving public incentives would certify that they:

• Do not require forced overtime or weekend work.
• Do not use rotating shift schedules that disrupt workers’ lives.
• Do not require employees to work off the clock.
• Guarantee workers a full work week.
• Provide emergency leave.
• Ensure that time spent walking to a bathroom or breakroom does not count against workers’ break time.
   

Too many Alabama workers, especially in manufacturing and supply chain jobs, are working 50, 60 or even more hours a week just to keep their jobs.

That means missing:

• family dinners
• children’s activities
• religious services
• time with friends and loved ones
   

And on Saturdays in the fall, when much of Alabama is gathered with family and neighbors to watch college football, many workers are stuck on the line working mandatory overtime. Meanwhile, the executives who run these companies are often enjoying the games from luxury suites and corporate boxes.

If companies depend on constant overtime to operate, they should hire more workers, not force existing workers to sacrifice their health and family life.

This is a family values issue.

Alabama leaders often say they stand for family values. If that is true, companies that benefit from taxpayer-funded incentives should respect the families of the workers who make their profits possible.

Public investments should create good jobs that support strong families and healthy communities.

We urge the Alabama Legislature to pass this bill and ensure that companies benefiting from public incentives treat Alabama workers with dignity.

Alabama workers deserve fair schedules, reasonable hours and time with their families.

Sign the petition to support stronger protections for Alabama workers and families.