The Blubber

Senator Bernie Sanders introduced legislation on Wednesday that aims to establish a 32-hour workweek in the U.S. without any reduction in pay. Sanders argues that this change is necessary to ensure that the working class benefits from the significant productivity gains and technological advancements that have occurred.

Sanders, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, emphasized that a 32-hour workweek is not a radical idea, especially considering the substantial increase in productivity over the years compared to stagnant wage growth. He believes that the financial gains from advancements in artificial intelligence, automation, and new technology should benefit workers rather than just corporate CEOs and wealthy stockholders.

The bill, introduced in the Senate with Senator Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), is also being championed in the House by Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif.), who has led similar efforts in the past. Takano praised Sanders for leading the Senate companion to the legislation, calling it transformative for both workers and workplaces.

The introduction of the legislation comes ahead of a hearing scheduled by the Senate HELP Committee, chaired by Sanders, to discuss the idea of a 32-hour workweek. The hearing will feature testimony from United Auto Workers (UAW) president Shawn Fain, among others, who have advocated for a shorter workweek. The idea has gained traction among labor leaders and lawmakers, with promising results from experimental trials showing benefits such as reduced burnout, improved mental and physical health, and better work-life balance.

It would:

• Reduce the standard workweek from 40 to 32 hours over four years by lowering the maximum hours threshold for overtime compensation for non-exempt employees.
• Require overtime pay at time and a half for workdays longer than eight hours, and overtime pay at double a worker’s regular pay for workdays longer than 12 hours; and
• Protect workers’ pay and benefits to ensure that a reduction in the workweek does not cause a loss in pay.