McFall on Passage of GOP Anti-Worker Bills

Legislations guts minimum wage increase and weakens earned sick leave

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 24, 2025 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bills 4001 and 4002 yesterday, cutting increases to the minimum wage, upholding the subminimum wage for tipped workers, and weakening provisions to the Earned Sick Time Act. After voting no, state Rep. Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park) issued the following statement: 

“Yesterday, Republicans lowered Michigan’s minimum wage increase and stripped away the right to sick time for more than 1.2 million Michiganders. In a spirit of bipartisanship, we offered several commonsense amendments that would have protected workers and small businesses, all of which House Republicans rejected.

“One of the reasons I voted no on HB 4001 regarding minimum wage is because under this Republican legislation, your tips are your boss’ property. Republicans want to continue to underpay those newly entering the workforce. Additionally, under this legislation, businesses can pay employees aged 18 or under an even lower amount of the minimum wage than is already permitted, taking money away from workers and the economy.

“I also voted no on HB 4002 regarding earned sick leave. This is because Republicans carved out 96% of Michigan businesses, stripping more than 1.2 million Michiganders of their right to earned sick time, forcing employees to choose between a paycheck or their health. Additionally, Republicans excluded seasonal workers, part time workers, and certain railway and flight crew workers from guaranteed sick time.”

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