September 17, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, benk@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—The nation’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy group today is praising the introduction of new local legislation in Washington, DC—the Earned Sick And Safe Leave Amendment Act of 2013—that would expand the requirement for employers to provide their workers with current paid sick days policies to apply to most tipped workers. The legislation, introduced today by Council Member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) and Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), along with several co-sponsors, is welcome news for both worker and consumer advocates alike. 

“Paid sick days are good for everyone; it’s both a worker and consumer rights issue. Many successful restaurant owners have demonstrated that it’s possible to be responsible, compassionate employers without compromising the bottom line,” said NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg. “It’s time for all employees, including the workers who prepare and serve food for DC residents in area restaurants, to earn the right to stay home when illness strikes, and help prevent the further spread of illness.”

According to 2013 research conducted by the DC-based National Consumers League (NCL), there is an expectation among restaurant patrons that the workers who cook and serve food they won’t be required to do so while sick. More than 90 percent of consumers surveyed agreed that it’s important that restaurant workers do not serve and cook when they are sick. However, research indicates that 90 percent of restaurant workers do not have paid sick days, and many say they come to work despite illness. 

The DC legislation would expand the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act, from 2008, that required paid sick leave but only for workers who have been on the job for a year and have worked a required 1,000 hours. The 2008 law also guaranteed nearly universal paid sick leave in the District, but excluded tipped wait staff, including most servers, bussers, and bartenders. Under the new law, the benefit would be expanded to tipped employees and the waiting period would be reduced to 90 days.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

September 12, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, benk@nclnet.org 

Washington, DC– Today the nation’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy group expressed its disappointment at Washington, DC Mayor Vincent Gray’s vetoing of the Large Retailer Accountability Act (LRAA), legislation that would dramatically improve the lives of some minimum-wage workers in the District. The Washington, DC-based National Consumers League (NCL), which had previously supported the Act and praised the DC City Council for its passage, is today calling on the Council to override the Mayor’s veto. The LRAA would require DC retailers whose parent companies do more than $1 billion in sales to pay their employees the DC living wage and benefits of $12.50 an hour. 

NCL has a long history of supporting the interests of workers and consumers since its founding in 1899, and NCL’s first General Secretary, Florence Kelley, wrote the first state minimum wage legislation.

“We urge the DC City Council to override the Mayor’s veto on the Large Retailer Accountability Act and support the bill’s principles, to ‘safeguard the public health, safety, welfare and prosperity of all Washingtonians, the District must establish a code of conduct for responsible retailers in our community, ensuring that large retailers pay their workers a living wage and provide affordable health benefits,’” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director.

“This bill would affect some of the most profitable companies in the world, corporations that can well afford to improve the wages and working conditions of their employees without diminishing their profits. The City Council should stand up for workers, especially when companies can afford to pay them more. If the LRAA is enacted, taxpayers could stop subsidizing the paltry wages these retail giants pay. This law will help lift workers out of poverty,” said Greenberg.

The LRAA passed the City Council with an 8 to 5 in July. One more vote is needed – a total of 9 votes – to override the Mayor’s veto.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

September 9, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 207-2832, benk@nclnet.org

Washington, DC—The 2013-2014 LifeSmarts season is officially underway this week, with a new competition year going live at the program’s revamped online home, LifeSmarts.org, along with a variety of new coaching and study resources, new opportunities for participants, and new state programs across the country. LifeSmarts is an educational competition run by the National Consumers League that tests middle school and high school students nationwide on real-life consumer issues through online quizzes and live competition. It culminates in the annual national LifeSmarts championship, taking place this season in Orlando, FL, where winning teams and individuals are awarded academic scholarships and prizes. 

“We’re thrilled to be launching this, our 20^th year of LifeSmarts,” said Program Director Lisa Hertzberg. “LifeSmarts delivers life skills to students and allows them to shine in competitions where they demonstrate their knowledge of personal finance and consumer issues. It also provides thousands of teachers across the country with up-to-date, broad-based consumer education resources.”

Over the years, LifeSmarts has steadily grown in numbers of student and adult participants, state partnerships, and corporate sponsorships. In the most recent season, an estimated 100,000 students and teachers across the country answered more than 3.5 million LifeSmarts questions. This month, LifeSmarts has unveiled a new Web site with better navigation, usability, and social media integration.

“LifeSmarts content is keeping up with an increasingly challenging marketplace, providing the consumer literacy teens need to become the next generation of smart consumers and workers, and the materials are used both for competition and for classroom curriculum across the country,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director. “The all-new LifeSmarts.org will help students and coaches use study materials more easily, excel at competition, and share their success with others. We are excited to see what new and returning LifeSmarts teens think of the new online home.”

LifeSmarts provides participants with practical advice and information on consumer issues ranging from personal finance and health and safety to the environment, technology, and consumer rights and responsibilities. Starting online each fall, the competition progresses to live state play-offs, and then builds to a high-spirited National Championship. At last year’s national competition held in Atlanta, the Florida team took home top honors after competing for four days against state champion teams from across the country.

Later this month, LifeSmarts will also roll out a major expansion to its LifeSmarts program in partnership with the global safety science company Underwriters Laboratories, UL, providing participants with a community service learning opportunity in their communities.

The National Consumers League partners with volunteer state coordinators in 30 states including Better Business Bureaus, credit unions, consumer protection agencies, and State FCCLA organizations. Interested students and adults can visit the LifeSmarts Web site to connect with the program in their state.

“The National Consumers League’s mission is to inspire confidence and safety in the marketplace,” said Greenberg. “The LifeSmarts program, our consumer education initiative for youth, fosters students’ understanding of consumer issues and provides them with real-world knowledge they will need to take charge of their lives.”

Major LifeSmarts contributors include Visa, Experian, Google, Western Union, UL, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC, American Express, CBM Credit Education Foundation, and others. 

Visit the new LifeSmarts.org. LifeSmarts: Learn it. Live it.

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About the National Consumers League and LifeSmarts

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

LifeSmarts is a program of the National Consumers League. State coordinators run the programs on a volunteer basis. For more information, visit: www.lifesmarts.org, email lifesmarts@nclnet.org, or call the National Consumers League’s communications department at 202-835-3323.

August 26, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323,  benk@nclnet.org

Washington, DC — The National Consumers League cheers the release of the long overdue rule that will shield workers from excessive exposure to silica dust. The rule, released by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), lowers the legal limit of silica dust that workers are permitted to breath to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air.

There are an estimated 2.2 million American workers exposed to silica dust every year; about 1.8 million of those work in the construction industry. Many of these workers are exposed to silica dust when cutting, drilling, or grinding material.  Exposure can lead to silicosis, as well as increased susceptibility to lung cancer, kidney disease, and autoimmune disorders. This new regulation is estimated to save 700 lives and prevent 1,600 new cases of silicosis annually, according to OSHA.

“The release of this critical worker safety rule is long overdue,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director. “For over a decade limits on worker exposure to silica dust have been stymied by industry opposition and stalled by needless bureaucracy. During that time, thousands of workers have lost their lives or suffered grave illness. We are pleased that OSHA has finally taken necessary steps to address safety for millions of construction workers. There was no excuse for this rule to be held up.  NCL, the nation’s oldest consumer and worker advocacy group, urges the Obama administration to release other common sense rules passed by Congress or developed by federal agencies to improve worker safety.”

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About the National Consumers League
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Its mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

August 14, 2013

Contact: Ben Klein, NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323,  benk@nclnet.org

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League, the nation’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization, today applauded the Federal Communications Commission for taking action to make prison telephone calling rates more affordable for millions of inmates and their families. The following statement is attributable to Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of the National Consumers League:

“Years of struggle by prisoner justice advocates were rewarded last week when the FCC passed long-overdue reforms to cap inmate calling rates. We applaud not only their efforts, but also the leadership shown on this issue by acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn. By capping rates for interstate long distance calls, the Commission ensured that millions of incarcerated Americans and their loved ones will be able to stay in touch without imposing exorbitant costs on strained family budgets.”

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.