Stakeholders Joined a City Council Briefing on the Bill,
Which Strengthens and Clarifies the Enforcement of City Labor Laws.
PHILADELPHIA – Yesterday, Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At-Large) hosted a briefing in City Hall to provide information for Councilmembers and staff about the POWER (Protect Our Workers, Enforce Rights) Act. During the briefing, workers, employers, labor leaders, and legal experts explained how the legislation functions, including how it will shield Philadelphia workers from President Trump’s attacks on workers’ rights at the federal level.
“The goal of the POWER Act is to update and improve our labor laws so that we can truly protect workers and enforce the rights that we have already guaranteed in previous legislation,” said Councilmember Brooks, referencing the Wage Theft Ordinance, Paid Sick Leave, and Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, all of which were passed by City Council over the past ten years.
“This legislation makes it easier for both workers and employers to understand their rights and responsibilities, and it makes our Department of Labor more effective, more transparent, and more accountable to workers and the public.”
During the briefing, City Council staff and attorneys from Community Legal Services who assisted in drafting the legislation explained how the POWER Act will strengthen worker protections in Philadelphia:
- Clarifies existing labor laws by creating consistent timelines and enforcement processes across several different labor laws.
- Creates a new retaliation provision in the code to protect workers who stand up for their rights and permits workers to receive compensation for the damages they suffer from retaliation.
- Establishes reporting requirements for the Department of Labor, so City Council and the public can be better informed about the enforcement of the city’s labor laws
“The POWER Act is a chance to set the standard—to show the world what a culture of dignity, respect, and safety for domestic workers and low-wage workers can look like,” said Ai-jen Poo, President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. “Winning rights is just one step; ensuring they are enforced is how we create real change in workers’ lives. For every reason, short and long term, now is the time to make domestic workers’ rights a reality.”
“Philadelphia has led the way in labor protections, and with this bill, we’re doubling down on our commitment to the working people who keep this city running,” said Councilmember Jim Harrity (At-Large). “The POWER Act builds on the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights already in place, strengthening protections against wage theft, employee retaliation, and exploitation.”
“El Acto PODER nos brindará más apoyo cuando nuestros derechos no son respetados, y también se asegurará que haya más responsabilidad para los empresarios abusivos,” said Rosa Ortiz, a domestic worker in Philadelphia. (The POWER Act will offer us more support when our rights are not respected, and it will also assure that there is more responsibility for abusive employers.)
“The POWER Act provides much needed clarity on the responsibilities of employers, creates accountability for abusive employers and supports workers who’ve experienced wage theft,” said Dr. Julia Ticona, a working parent who employs a housecleaner and a nanny. “These protections ensure that highly skilled, trustworthy and dedicated workers aren’t chased out of their chosen field because of bad treatment by employers.”
Councilmember Brooks introduced the POWER Act in City Council on February 6. The legislation is scheduled for a hearing in the Committee on Law and Government on Friday, April 25th. After passage out of the committee, the bill will be voted on by the full City Council body.
The POWER Act is co-sponsored by a veto-proof majority of City Councilmembers, including Council President Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District), Councilmember Jim Harrity (At-Large), Councilmember Mark Squilla (1st District), Councilmember Nicolas O’Rourke (At-Large), Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District), Councilmember Rue Landau (At-Large), Councilmember Curtis Jones (4th District), Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (At-Large), Councilmember Jeffery Young (5th District), Councilmember Anthony Phillips (9th District), Councilmember Nina Ahmad (At-Large), Councilmember Quetcy Lozada (7th District), and Councilmember Cindy Bass (8th District). The legislation is backed by the National Domestic Workers Alliance, the Philadelphia Council of the AFL-CIO, the Philly Black Workers Project, and a broad range of pro-worker organizations.
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