Democratic Party on Jobs

	Democratic Party on Jobs Party Platform

Prohibit wage discrimination on basis of sex

LGBTQ RIGHTS:

Democrats: Prohibit wage discrimination on basis of sex. Bill made it easier to sue for wage discrimination and required Department of Labor to conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities. Senate hasn't considered.

Republicans: Oppose wage discrimination bill as regulatory overreach, with all but seven House Republicans voting against it.

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Major Party positions , Aug 30, 2020

Social contract: right to unionize, equal pay, family leave

Democrats commit to forging a new social contract with the American people. One that affirms housing is a right and not a privilege. A new economic contract that raises wages and restores workers' rights to organize, join a union, and collectively bargain. One that at last supports working families and the middle class by securing equal pay for women and paid family leave for all. A new economic contract that provides access for all to reliable and affordable banking and financial services. Source: Democratic Party Platform adopted at 2020 Convention , Jul 27, 2020

Raise minimum wage to $15/hr; repeal right to work laws

Democrats will fight to raise wages including by raising the federal minimum wage so it reaches $15 an hour by 2026. We know that strong American labor unions help increase wages and job standards for workers across the economy, which is why Democrats will prioritize passing the PRO Act and restoring workers' rights, including the right to launch secondary boycotts. We will repeal so-called "right to work" laws that undermine worker power and lead to lower wages and less protection for workers. Source: Democratic Party Platform adopted at 2020 Convention , Jul 27, 2020

Contractors should recruit people of color, women, LGBTQ+

We will increase funding to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and increase its authority to initiate investigations into civil rights violations, violations of the rights of people with disabilities, and violations against LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender women of color. Federal contractors should be required to develop and disclose plans to recruit and promote people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and veterans--and be held accountable for delivering. Source: Democratic Party Platform adopted at 2020 Convention , Jul 27, 2020

$15/hour minimum wage indexed to inflation

[After the 2016 primaries], during the proceedings in St. Louis and Orlando, we were victorious in including amendments in the platform that made it the policy of the Democratic Party to fight for:

A $15-an-hour federal minimum wage indexed to inflation;
Requiring Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices and making it legal to import safe and affordable medicine from Canada and other countries;
Expanding Social Security by increasing taxes on those making over $250,000 a year;
Preventing employers from cutting the earned pension benefits of more than 1.5 million Americans;
Making it easier for workers to join unions through majority card-check recognition and by ensuring a first contract through binding arbitration.

All of these progressive policies were at the heart of our campaign. I appreciated the willingness of the Clinton team and the DNC to work with us and create a platform that we could all be proud of. Source: Where We Go From Here, by B. Sanders, p.16-7, on 2016 DNC , Jul 9, 2016

Bridge to Work: help the long-term unemployed

When President Obama took office, the economy was in the deepest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Just as the recession was not created overnight, we knew it would take time to recover from the crisis--and more needs to be done. Last September, President Obama put forward the American Jobs Act to provide an immediate boost to the economy and strengthen the recovery. We have already enacted key parts of the American Jobs Act--payroll tax relief, tax credits for businesses that hire veterans, and an extension of unemployment insurance that also included reforms like work-sharing, a "Bridge to Work" to help the long-term unemployed reconnect with the labor force, and support for unemployed workers looking to become entrepreneurs. But Republicans in Congress blocked other provisions that independent analysis said could create one million jobs. Source: 2012 Democratic Party Platform , Sep 4, 2012

Create jobs that stay in America

We will create jobs that stay in America and restore opportunity for all Americans, starting with raising the minimum wage, expanding Pell grants and making college tuition tax deductible. We also believe in budget discipline that reduces our deficit.

Democrats believe that the most effective way to increase opportunity for our families is a high quality, good paying job. The Democratic Party supports fair trade agreements that raise standards for all workers here and abroad, while making American businesses more competitive, and we don’t believe in tax giveaways that reward companies for moving American jobs overseas.

Source: 2006 Democratic Party Congressional Promise , Nov 1, 2006

A strong America begins with good jobs that support families

A strong America keeps the promise of opportunity for all and heeds the warning of special privileges for none. That’s the America we believe in. George Bush values wealth over hard work, lavishes special treatment upon a fortunate few at the expense of most businesses and working people, and defends policies that weaken America’s competitive position and destroy American jobs.

We believe that a strong America begins at home, with good jobs that support families and an equal chance for all our people. We believe in progress that brings prosperity for all Americans, not just for those who are already successful. We believe that good jobs will help strengthen & expand the strongest middle class the world has ever known. We believe the private sector, not government, is the engine of economic growth and job creation. Government’s responsibility is to create an environment that will promote private sector investment, foster vigorous competition, and strengthen the foundations of an innovative economy.

Source: The Democratic Platform for America, p.19 , Jul 10, 2004

Change tax system to not encourage shipping jobs overseas

Tax reform to create jobs. Today’s tax law provides big breaks for companies that send American jobs overseas. Current “deferral” policies allow American companies to avoid paying American taxes on the income earned by their foreign subsidiaries. John Kerry and John Edwards will end deferral that encourages companies to ship jobs overseas, and they will close other loopholes to make the tax code work for the American worker. They’ll use the savings to offer tax cuts for companies that produce goods and create jobs here at home. Under John Kerry and John Edwards, 99 percent of American businesses will pay lower taxes than today. Source: The Democratic Platform for America, p.20 , Jul 10, 2004

Protect workers’ right to organize

Gore will protect the forty-hour workweek, overtime requirements, the Davis-Bacon act and the Service Contract act. He has proposed reforming government contracting rules to ensure that taxpayer dollars do not go to companies that break basic labor laws. We are fighting for new ergonomic standards and whistle-blower protections. We need a new law banning permanent striker replacement workers. We should stiffen penalties for employer interference with the right to organize. Source: 2000 Democratic National Platform as adopted by the DNC , Aug 15, 2000

The rights of low income workers must be protected

Millions of workers will continue to labor in jobs that pay low wages. Many of these are women, people of color, or immigrants. Their work has great dignity. Democrats are committed to ensuring that these workers - no less than their counterparts in more highly-skilled, better paid positions - are treated with dignity and fairness. Source: 2000 Democratic National Platform as adopted by the DNC , Aug 15, 2000

Democrats will strengthen safety net for family farmers

Farmers should receive incentives to conserve soil and improving farming and forestry techniques. The Republican Freedom to Farm Act has resulted in years of low prices and necessitated billion dollar bailouts. It is misguided and must be changed. Family farmers who work hard and smart should be able not only to survive but to thrive. Source: 2000 Democratic National Platform as adopted by the DNC , Aug 15, 2000

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Page last updated: Feb 24, 2022