Elaine Chao Quotes

State and federal laws protect whistle-blowers, those who refuse to do something illegal, and workers who file claims for workers' compensation.

The state of Washington calls tips 'wages.'

There was a time when the contractual relationship between the employer and the employee was supposed to be none of the public's business. That time has passed.

We should pass a flex time law that allows employees to take their overtime pay in money or in time off, depending on what's better for their family.

Let's defend overtime and go after wage theft.

When I produce a movie - and I've produced a number of movies, unlike Arnold - yes, I'm frustrated when the union says you can't do this, you can't work past that hour, you've got to break for lunch. But ultimately, they're right. What they do is for everyone's benefit.

If technology and communications can adapt to people's modern lifestyles, then why can't our labor laws follow suit? Private-sector businesses continue to live under an outdated federal mandate that says the only way to compensate for overtime is through cash wages.

The Bush administration staunchly opposed legislation which would preserve overtime pay for all workers.

I've never seen the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

If you don't have collective agreements between unions and employers, governments have to legislate more.

Some employees are protected by union or personal contracts that limit reasons for dismissal.

Many people do not realize that where unions have bargaining rights employers cannot raise wages or improve benefit plans any more than they can reduce them without of the consent of the union.

You should pay the laborer his wages before his sweat dries

Do not worry about the side agreements on labor. They are too full of loopholes to pose any threat.

We have many rules and regulations that can be sometimes confusing and complicated. By reaching out to the employer community and educating them on what their responsibilities and obligations are to their work force, that, along, with strong enforcement, is the best way to protect workers.

When you work extra, you should be paid extra. That's what the Fair Labor Standards Act said. And I've met so many people who are working 60-70 hours a week, and they are effectively working 20 hours for free because they are making a little bit above the minimum wage, because the 2004 regulation enables employers to do that. That's not fair.

We want to make sure that workers know their rights and that employers know their obligations. That is the best way to protect workers.

The overtime rule was frankly diluted in 2004 by a regulation put in place by the Bush administration.

We must update our country's workplace policies to remain competitive against other developed countries.

The NLRB provides important protections to American workers.

South Carolina is a 'right to work' state - a misnomer of a phrase, as the laws limits union representation of workers. It does does not guarantee workers a job or fair wages and conditions.

We must ensure strong, fair and robust workplace rights remain in our country's DNA.

Employment is a contract between an employer and an employee. Thus, laws prohibiting discriminatory pay are an infringement on private contracts.

Raising the overtime threshold - something that is about to happen. This is more complex so not as many people understand it, but it's equally consequential.

The concept of equal pay for equal work is not only an impossible task, it can only be accomplished with the total rejection of the idea of the voluntary contract... The idea that a businessman must hire anyone and is prevented from firing anyone for any reason he chooses, and in the name of rights, is a clear indication that the basic concept of a free society has been lost.