MADISON (AP) — A Republican legislator tried to convince the state Senate’s labor committee Thursday to approve his bill allowing factory and retail employees to work longer weeks despite concerns the measure would lead to bosses intimidating workers into giving up their weekends.
Wisconsin law requires employers who own or operate factories or retail stores to give their workers at least 24 consecutive hours off every seven days. Employers and unions can seek waivers from the state allowing workers to go without an off day if the workers choose to do so. Employees in other industries face no such time restrictions.