Going into Presidents Day weekend, Senator Gallego is introducing a bill that would require time and a half pay on federal holidays

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced the Holiday Pay Act to require employers pay time and a half for working federal holidays.

READ MORE: Ruben Gallego Wants You to Get Paid More for Working on Holidays (The New Republic)

“Across the country, people are working harder than ever yet seeing their paychecks barley stretch to meet their basic needs. Many Americans are working holidays because they need the money and giving up precious time with family and loved ones to do so. They deserve to be fairly compensated for their sacrifice,” said Senator Gallego. “The Holiday Pay Act ensures hardworking people are rewarded for the extra hours they put in – raising paychecks and making life a little easier for those who keep our country running.”

You can read the full text of the legislation HERE.  

“Working people are living on the edge, working longer and harder than ever before and getting less in return. On holidays, workers across the country clock in so the rest of us can enjoy a day of relaxation or reflection with our families—and their work should be fairly compensated. At a time when working people worry about every bill, every purchase, and every paycheck, the Holiday Pay Act is a basic step toward dignity and respect on the job, ensuring workers get the pay they deserve for the work they do,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.

“When someone works on a federal holiday, they’re not just putting in hours, they’re giving up time with their family that they can’t get back. Workers like the interpreters at Language Line Solutions know this sacrifice well, as they are often expected to work holidays at their regular rate of pay,” said Claude Cummings Jr., President of the Communications Workers of America. “The Holiday Pay Act recognizes that this sacrifice deserves more than gratitude, it deserves fair compensation. Establishing time-and-a-half pay as a minimum standard for holiday work is a simple, common-sense way to respect workers’ time, sacrifice, and the essential work they continue to provide.”

“Railroad workers have always known that holidays don’t stop the work of keeping this country running. While most Americans are home with their families, rail workers are moving food, fuel, and critical goods that our economy and country depend on. Senator Gallego’s Holiday Pay Act finally recognizes that reality. This bill will ensure that when we work on federal holidays (as we always have), we are compensated fairly for that sacrifice. Just as important, it offers long-overdue acknowledgment and respect for the essential service rail workers provide every day of the year. SMART-TD is proud to endorse this legislation, and we thank Senator Gallego for standing with railroad workers and essential workers across this country,” said Jared Cassity, SMART-TD’s National Safety & Legislative Director.

The Holiday Pay Act is also supported by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Transport Workers Union of America, Iron Workers, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BLET-IBT), Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED-IBT), Teamsters Rail Conference, UNITE HERE, and National Employment Law Project.

Senator Gallego has consistently fought for working class Americans. Last week, he introduced the Give America a Raise Act to raise the federal minimum wage to $20 an hour.