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In the State of the Union Address tonight, President Obama pronounced several areas of focus that may affect employers.

He urged the House to pass a bill that the Senate passed today: the Violence Against Women Act. He also asked Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that he said ensures “that woman [w]ould earn a living equal to their efforts.”

He asked for the minimum wage to be increased to $9.00 per hour and to tie future increases to the cost of living.

 » Read more about: State of the Union Identifies Administration’s Employment Law Focal Points  »

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its “work stoppage” report today.  The report indicates that 19 major work stoppages (“strikes”) idled more workers than all of the strikes in 2011 combined–148,000 workers.

The Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teacher’s Union idled the most employees–26,500; and Lockheed Martin’s strike was the longest–48 workdays.  When multiplied by the 3600 Lockheed and International Association of Machinist workers who went out on strike, this equals 172,800 lost work days.

 » Read more about: 2012 Union Strike Numbers Surpass 2011’s  »

The rule implements congressional amendments to the FMLA permitting eligible workers to take up to 26 workweeks of leave to care for a current service member with a serious injury or illness. Congress also created qualifying exigency leave, which permits eligible employees to take up to 12 workweeks of leave for qualifying exigencies arising out of active duty or call to active duty in support of a contingency operation of a family member serving in the National Guard or Reserve.

 » Read more about: DoL Issues Final Rule, Expanding the FMLA  »

Today, House Bill 82 was filed for a second reading. This proposed legislation would align the workers compensation laws in the state so that postsecondary students receive the same workers compensation coverage that K-12 students receive while completing work experience credit hours. Under current Idaho law, postsecondary students receiving education credits for completing a work experience project are not covered under the university or college worker’s compensation policy with the State Insurance Fund.

 » Read more about: Idaho House Bill 82 Reported out of Committee with a “Do Pass” Recommendation  »

Idaho House Bill 57 was also referred to the Commerce and Human Resources Committee this week. This bill would raise Idaho’s minimum wage from the current $7.25 per hour to $8.25 per hour and would tie annual increases to the Consumer price index in future years. It also proposes to uncouple the Idaho minimum wage from the Federal wage.

 » Read more about: Idaho House Bill 57–Increasing Minimum Wage  »