Issue Position: Working Families

Issue Position

Gwen Moore comes from a union family--her father was a member of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and both her mother and daughter belonged to the teachers union. She knows that working families are the backbone of the American economy but today they are working harder, longer hours for lower wages and fewer protections. In the state Senate, Gwen Moore has fought against attempts to undermine the economic security of Wisconsin 's workers. Moore 's efforts have led to her endorsement by important labor unions including the United Auto Workers, the Communication Workers of America, the United Electrical, Radio and Machine WorkersIssue Position: Working Families
of America and the Amalgamated Transit Union. In Congress, she will continue to fight against erosions in worker protections such as overtime pay, push for an increase in the minimum wage and work to end the exportation of manufacturing jobs overseas.

Gwen Moore's Record on Working Families

Fought Against Privatization of Medicaid, Food Stamp Programs in Wisconsin : In the state Senate, Gwen Moore worked to prevent the privatization of portions of Wisconsin 's Food Stamp and Medicaid programs, preserving jobs for Milwaukee 's county workers.

Supported Legislation to Address Pay Disparity in Wisconsin : In 2000, Moore co-authored and voted for legislation to require any companies in Wisconsin to disclose how many of their top management employees were women and/or minorities in an effort to shine a light on gender equity and pay disparity. At the time, Wisconsin ranked 37 th among states in salaries paid to female executives and 40 th in the number of women holding senior management positions. For every $1 paid to men in senior management positions, women got 72 cents , four cents below the national average.

Worked to Protect Health Care Workers: In Wisconsin , many nurses are currently forced to work overtime in order to cover the nursing shortage. This policy creates unfair and unhealthy working environments for nurses in our state. In the state Senate Moore supported legislation to end mandatory overtime for health care workers.

Voted to Increase Wisconsin 's Minimum Wage: In 1999, Moore voted to increase the state's minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $6.55 per hour. The increase would have benefited 163,000 people, including 60% of minimum-wage workers who were women and 20% who were single mothers at that time.

Gwen Moore's Priorities for Working Families in Congress

Raise the Minimum Wage: The inflation-adjusted value of the minimum wage is 24 percent lower today than it was in 1979. Workers should not have to take on multiple jobs to make ends meet. About 3.5 million workers worked full-time and year-round in 1999, yet they and their families lived in poverty. Congress has not enacted a minimum wage in seven years. In Congress, Moore will work to change that, signing on to legislation to raise the minimum wage to provide a real, livable wage for all working Americans. Moore will also work to ensure pay equity in the workplace, so women are paid equally for equal work.

Protect Overtime Pay: The Bush Administration has proposed new regulations on overtime pay that would endanger overtime pay for millions of workers by reclassifying them as exempt. Working Americans should be paid for the hours they work. In Congress, Gwen Moore will oppose these attacks on working families.

Expand Access to Health Care for Working Americans: Over 43 million Americans lack health coverage, including over 470,000 in Milwaukee and many workers who do have coverage are facing increasing prices making the cost of care prohibitive. In Congress, Gwen Moore will support universal health coverage so no American will go without affordable, quality health care.

Preserve American Jobs: American jobs are being shipped overseas and reckless economic policies have led to record deficits and job losses. Congress must work to stimulate economic growth through targeted tax incentives for companies that create jobs in economically depressed areas. In Congress, Gwen Moore will fight for tax credits for manufacturing companies that create jobs at home.

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